Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

The Minister has not done all that. Deputy Pat Breen expressed his scepticism in regard to Aer Lingus's commitment to Shannon Airport. The Minister stated that at the time he negotiated the transitional arrangement relating to Shannon, he sought and obtained assurances from Aer Lingus that in the context of a level playing field between the airline and its competitors, it would maintain the current level of transatlantic traffic with a regular year round scheduled service between Shannon and Boston and New York. I wish I could believe that means that Aer Lingus will maintain regular year round flights. I would like the Minister to state whether that means we can be certain Aer Lingus will maintain year round flights because that is what is required by the businesses in the Shannon region which depend on them. What does that agreement mean? Is it in writing? Does the matter of a level playing field mean Aer Lingus can get out of it at the first opportunity?

I also wish to ask the Minister about the feasibility study on the rail link for Shannon because we need the infrastructure.

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