Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)

I commend the Minister for dealing with the issue after years of inaction on the part of the previous Fianna Fáil-led Governments. The matter is finally being dealt with. Shannon Airport has paid a very heavy price, losing 52% of passengers over the past three to four years. I welcome the recent public announcements by the Minister, Deputy Varadkar, on a visit to County Clare, that it is his desire that Shannon Airport would again become the second busiest airport in the country after Dublin. I would like to establish when he intends to bring the memo to Government and when a decision will be made. We need clarity and certainty. Shannon and the mid-west region can begin an economic fightback. The decision will be a catalyst for that to happen. I would also like to hear the Minister's views on the conditions of workers in the airport. Could he offer any thoughts in that regard? It is critical that they are not made the scapegoats in the decision that is to be taken.

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