Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I am answering the question. The business groups are not arguing about Heathrow, it is the issue of connectivity. Clearly we would prefer a direct flight from Shannon to Heathrow. In response to the Deputy's question on how we plan to do that, we are assisting the Shannon Airport Authority in a range of discussions, but no company is involved. I do not want to create a grey area on whether we are about to sign up, because we are not. We will do our best to ensure we sign up somebody but it may not be possible.

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