Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that the Minister recognises the importance of access but I contend that if he really believed in its extreme importance, he would have to question whether the State should even be negotiating with IAG about the sale of the State's share holding. My contention is that once we sell the State's share holding, our capacity to influence the retention of access to Heathrow from Shannon and Cork is diminished absolutely. In other words, any assurances backed up by letters of warranty or any contractual arrangements that might be entered into have no long-term capacity to be maintained. The State will have no power to maintain those links. At best, in the event of a breach of contract, the State will get some financial compensation which in no way has the capacity to meet the needs and demands of the locations and jobs which are supported by access to Heathrow.

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