Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

It certainly held Ireland back. The environmental impact of a transatlantic plane, designed to travel long haul, having to land at Shannon and then fly within an hour to Dublin is unforgivable.

The recent deal done by Knock Airport shows the potential to circumvent the rules and that people want additional routes to the US. It behoves whoever is in the next Government that Ireland's potential in tourism and foreign direct investment is maximised by this open skies deal. I welcome the agreement.

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