Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. However, this matter has been dealt with by my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, in several parliamentary questions, most recently on 19 October. The Minister has consistently said he does not believe an economic impact study is required.

The restructuring of the State airports, including Shannon, is intended to enhance their regional focus and the close co-operation between the new Shannon Airport Authority and the other regional development bodies in the area is extremely encouraging. The forecasts for Shannon are good. I object to what Deputy O'Sullivan said about my colleagues, the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, Deputy Peter Power, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, and Senator Dooley, all of whom have a great interest in the development of Shannon and have knocked on the door of the Minister, Deputy Cullen, on many occasions. Perhaps because of their input, commitment and dedication some of what is happening in Shannon arises from the work of the Minister for Defence, Deputy O'Dea, Deputy Peter Power, the Minister of State at the Department of Education and Science, Deputy de Valera, the Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Killeen, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, and Senator Dooley and, hopefully, that will continue.

There are opportunities for Shannon Airport to contribute to the development of the mid-west. The liberalisation of the aviation market between the EU and the US will mean more, not fewer, opportunities for Shannon to develop new routes into North America. We should look at the positive side and encourage new opportunities to maximise whatever potential may exist. Currently, Irish airlines are restricted to only five cities in the US for normal scheduled services. However, the advent of open skies will mean Irish or European airlines can fly into any airport in the US. The opening of US airports to services from Ireland, for example, provides an opportunity for the development of Shannon as a hub for passengers or cargo coming from eastern Europe going onwards to the US. It is clearly a matter for the Shannon Airport Authority to pursue these kinds of opportunities. However, without open skies, these opportunities simply will not exist.

There is clearly demand for service between Ireland and the US. Aer Lingus has been approached by several airports in the US with a view to beginning services. It will be a matter for Shannon Airport to compete and to lobby Irish, European and US airlines to take advantage of this potentially huge increase in new services. This is the central thrust behind the Government's policy of making the State airports independent of each other, so that they can compete with each other and, therefore, collectively provide the best and optimal level of services for Ireland.

The report prepared by the former head of air transport policy and external aviation relations for the EU Commission and Alan Dukes, director general of the Institute of European Affairs concluded, contrary to what the Deputy may have said, that the EU-US open skies agreement will be beneficial for Ireland, and that Irish business, tourism and aviation will get a boost. The report is clear that Shannon will maintain links to the US but that it must improve its links to Dublin and Europe as a way of underpinning its US services. In that context I am encouraged by the recent new services that are starting from Shannon into Europe and the UK. I understand that has been with much support and encouragement from my Fianna Fáil and PD colleagues in the area and, hopefully, all other political people who can assist will sign up also.

The report mentions improving transport links around the west and this is addressed in Transport 21, launched last week. Transport 21 identifies the investment that is required to further develop all elements of national transport infrastructure, addressing existing bottlenecks and capacity constraints, enhancing quality, optimising the use of the network and making prudent advance provision for future economic growth. In particular, Transport 21 is all about connectivity. It is regrettable that the Deputy indicated it was only a Dublin plan. It is not. There is a huge amount in it for Limerick and, hopefully, the Deputy will see the benefits of not alone this Government policy but of Transport 21 for her region.

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