Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Why must we wait for the likes of Aer Lingus to close its cabin crew base in Shannon for us to wonder why things like this happen? I told the Government that it would happen but the Government did not listen. Our airports must be attractive for airlines to use as a base for their business. We in Ireland are entering a very competitive landscape and it is too late to act when companies are closing and leaving the country. The Government must commit to delivering a multi-annual fund, not just for Shannon but also for other regional airports that need certainty at this challenging time. Funding must be put in place now.

There are 143,000 people working in the aviation industry and 270,000 are employed in tourism, 50,000 of them are located in he mid-west region. I call on the Government and the Minister for Transport to appoint a chairperson for Shannon Airport. This is vital for the future of the airport, Shannon, Limerick and the surrounding areas. The Minister should wake up and appoint a chairperson for Shannon so we can deal with the issues coming in there. The best thing I can say is that the Government should wake up. It is not listening. A year ago I said this would happen but the Government did not listen.

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