Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

We see the positive results of this decision with new services being developed. In particular, there has been a major expansion of transatlantic services and during the coming winter season, the company will serve seven cities in the US, compared with four previously. The IPO also made it possible to raise new equity to support the future payment of pension increases, which the Labour Party will also support, and thereby address a key concern of the Aer Lingus trade unions and workers. Without an equity injection, the company would have faced major difficulties in addressing these needs and meeting its social responsibilities while maintaining its competitiveness in a challenging market.

Given that it is recognised by the Government that Shannon Airport has a pivotal role in the general economic development of the region, it was decided that the potential impacts of the decision in that context——

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