Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I did not notice it. The Deputy's original question was concerned with how we will continue connectivity, it had nothing to do with what the Deputy then said.

The appointment of the extra directors, which is referred to in the question, would not have changed the decision on the Shannon to Heathrow service. The board gave the management a mandate to pursue all commercial opportunities for the airline. On foot of that mandate, management decided to discontinue the service between Shannon and Heathrow. Management did not have to get further approval from the board. The appointment of two extra directors would have made no difference to that decision, even if board approval was a requirement. The emphasis the company has put on the commercial advantages of Belfast over Shannon suggests that a better understanding of the wider implications for the Shannon region and wider commercial issues for the company would not have tipped the balance in this case.

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