Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I refute that remark. The work of the committee last week indicated that Aer Lingus required hangar 6 and that Mr. O'Leary was only interested in hangar 6 in the provision of these jobs. It is also important to say that Ryanair received legal advice well before SRT decided to move from here, indicating that hangar 6 would be hugely complicated. When Aer Rianta established TEAM Aer Lingus, Aer Lingus would continue to have a say in the hangar 6 issue regardless.

It is also true that, on my behalf, Mr. Barry O'Leary, CEO of the IDA, advised Mr. Michael O'Leary at that time that when SRT was leaving the country, it would be prudent, appropriate and correct to contact the DAA to ascertain whether access to hangar 6 could be obtained at that time. He did not take up that advice.

It is also important to say that the Government, I as the Minister, working with my colleague, the Minister for Transport, and the DAA have provided many opportunities to Mr. O'Leary for the provision of jobs by Ryanair through the availability of existing hangar space, either on a temporary or long-term basis, the provision of a site where Mr. O'Leary could buy and build his own hangar, or where the DAA would provide that hangar for his requirements and that Shannon Airport would provide similar facilities. We are being fair and reasonable but Mr. O'Leary has not been in a position to take up those offers.

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