Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

It was once said that only the rabbits would run around Rineanna but it has turned out to be very different because of the commitment, the flexibility and the innovative approach in the region. We want to work with the Minister but we want to see some kind of commitment from him to show he is serious about developing the strengths of the region.

I hope the fact he has two Government colleagues from County Clare beside him will ensure that the Minister takes the issue seriously because I can tell him that we are taking it seriously in the mid-west and on a cross-party basis. We are standing with the interests of industry, of tourism, of the trade unions and IBEC. The mid-west is standing together on this issue but we need proper Government reaction.

The policy of open skies cannot be stopped but the Minister can do what is necessary in order to support the region so that it can compete with a huge capital city and its hinterland. It is inevitable that airlines will seek to fly into capital cities so Shannon is up against it. We are up against a very strong Dublin lobby and against a very strong intention on the part of Aer Lingus to develop its flights in and out of Dublin.

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