Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Jim Daly for his question. The Government supports this opportunity and potential for Norwegian airlines to be able to fly the Atlantic and land in Cork, with benefits for Shannon and, to a lesser extent, Knock. Obviously, it is something people would very much welcome.

This matter has been raised by Ministers over the past couple of years on many occasions. I myself had the opportunity to raise it directly with the President of the United States on two successive St. Patrick's week visits and following that, the American union of airline pilots, which, I understand, was blocking this for some time, lifted that blockage and stated it would be happy to go ahead provided that the pilots to be appointed were paid at European and American rates - there was a fear that it would be pilots from the Far East only who would be employed at lower rates.

To reply to Deputy Daly, I will be happy to continue to make a case for this as it would be of substantial benefit to the country.

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