Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

The Minister stated airlines contribute to the success in attracting tourists. Today is a black day for Ryanair services at Shannon Airport because this is the final day of the five-year contract Ryanair had with the airport authority. The company brought in more than 2 million passengers a year during the initial years of the contract, although that number had reduced to 1 million a year. As a result, only a fraction of the numbers who used to travel to the west will pass through the airport. Does the Minister realise that five years ago 30 destinations were served by Shannon Airport whereas today only ten destinations are served? Will she bring together the main tourism interests in the region, in particular, the Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development, to redouble their efforts to fill the void left by Ryanair? From tomorrow onwards, the departure halls in the airport will be empty unless the Government does something.

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