Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

That is the legal position. It is the law that shareholders cannot overturn management decisions. It is no good having a debate about what is legally and factually incorrect.

Deputy Kenny has asked his questions and he does not need help from other Members. Clearly there are negative impacts arising from a loss of connectivity. Deputy Kenny asked how this coincides with regional assistance. The Government made it clear that it does not. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, and I made this point on 7 August in the first few days after the decision. The Shannon Airport Authority and the Government are actively engaging with carriers about new services to and from Shannon, including Shannon-Heathrow. It has recently published a new hub airport incentive scheme. Aer Lingus has confirmed that it is committed to serving the transatlantic market to and from Shannon. That is an important decision and one we support. Through a new link up with a US carrier JetBlue access to and from Shannon will be possible via 50 airports in the US, Mexico and the Caribbean. New direct services to Ireland are possible under the open skies policy.

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