Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is really good news for the Shannon region and Ireland that it has been possible to restore services, including winter transatlantic services, to San Francisco.

Part of the reason they failed before is that they were not commercial - the aircraft were too big and the costs were too high. If we want those services to work, they must be commercial and Aer Lingus must make decisions on the appropriate staffing costs. The Deputy should bear in mind that the difference between five staff members and four is 25% in costs, while six staff over four represents 50% in costs. Staff numbers make a significant difference.

It is my preference that the base would remain open and that the staff should be normal Aer Lingus employees and that the additional jobs would go to normal Aer Lingus employees. That preference will be communicated to the Government-appointed members of the Aer Lingus board. The only way to achieve that, however, is for Impact and Aer Lingus to come to an agreement at the LRC and I hope they will be able to do that.

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