Martin Ferris (Kerry North, Sinn Fein)

Does the Minister agree that the agreement worked out between the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, and the US Secretary of Transport will have a detrimental effect on tourism in the west, the mid-west and, in particular, the south-west region? What measures does the Government intend to take to ensure that Shannon Airport retains a high level of aviation business? What guarantees, if any, can be provided to ensure tourist numbers are not affected in those areas?

Does the Minister agree that the phase-out of the stopover flies directly in the face of Government commitments to balanced regional development? Does he agree with the view of SIGNAL, which represents workers at Shannon Airport, that 40,000 jobs both directly and indirectly in the tourist sector could be placed in danger as a consequence of drawing more business and tourist flights to the east coast?

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