Noel Coonan (Tipperary North, Fine Gael)

I thought the Ceann Comhairle might give us three and a half or four minutes each.

Tipperary North is not as close to Shannon as the areas represented by my colleagues and other speakers. However, Shannon Airport has been a major driver of economic growth in north Tipperary. Many of my constituents and their families gain meaningful employment in the Shannon region. Therefore, this is a vital decision for them. With one fell swoop, it can wipe out all of this growth.

It was with a degree of disillusionment that I listened to the Minister's speech. I have never heard anything like his smart-aleck remarks or witnessed anything like his abrasive attitude towards the Opposition and, in particular, the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance, which I am here to support. Either the Minister is out of touch or he has not been listening to what it has been saying to him. The most senior international and regional executives from companies in the region have warned the Minister and the Government that there will be serious job losses in tourism — the figures indicate a 25% drop in bookings for 2008 — manufacturing and services. This has been made quite clear to the Minister, yet he says it has been exaggerated. That is a blatant lie. I was always told that this was unparliamentary language but that is the allegation laid against the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance by the Minister. I have heard no statements on this side of the House other than those agreed with the alliance.

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