Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if he will report on his address to the Clare Community Regional Development Forum at Bunratty on 23 October 2007; if he will expand on the view he expressed that it is hard to expect people to invest money in a region that is seen by its citizens as a loser; the region he was referring to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26531/07]

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I am arranging for a copy of the speech in question to be forwarded to the Deputy. The full context of what I meant by the sentence referred to by the Deputy is clear from the full speech. My view on the matter is that this maxim would apply equally to all regions.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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I am grateful to the Minister for the speech. I am pleased he is forwarding information; it is important to have that interaction. The Minister said in that speech that when examining the possible solution to a problem, the most intractable problems are often solved by the power of lateral thinking. With regard to the problems generated in Shannon, what action has been taken by the Minister and his Department on overcoming the concerns of the various groups, employees and business organisations? The Minister advised that people should move forward in a positive way but what has he done since the two Heathrow slots were transferred to Belfast? Has he met with the groups? Is there a Government sub-committee dealing with the matter? What are the possibilities for overcoming this?

According to newspaper reports no replacement airline has taken up the vacant slots in Shannon. What has happened since this happened? The Minister talks about positivity but I have not seen it. The concerns still exist. The employees were recently in Brussels seeking guidance and support. If we are to think positively, the Minister, his Department and the Government must think in the same way. I do not see that happening. What has happened about overcoming the problems that so many people and groups believe the loss of the Shannon slots will create?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I was speaking at the forum about the general issue of rural and regional development. With regard to Shannon, my Department is represented on the interdepartmental committee. My point is that we have a problem and it must be dealt with. However, only to see problems and not see solutions and to highlight all the problems in a region does no favours for the region in terms of attracting inward investment for development.

There is a good example in Dublin of the power of positive thinking. There were, are and no doubt will be serious problems in the north docks area of Dublin city. However, when the concept of the IFSC was being sold, all the positives of the area were sold, not the negatives. We know what the IFSC has done for that area. This does not mean the Minister of State and I do not continue to engage in dealing with the social problems of that area, which are still real. Always highlighting the problems gives an excuse to those who might have been thinking of investing for not doing it.

When I was appointed Minister, I spoke to the Western Development Commission and to the people involved in Knock airport. We had an interesting discussion and decided that positivity was the way forward. I made the point that it would be ridiculous to have a "Go West Ireland" campaign, which covers County Clare, while at the same time always conveying the message that the west is a terrible place, with no facilities or advantages. The work of the Western Development Commission is testament to the power of positive thought.

The Deputy asked about my engagement with Shannon. The engagement of Galway and Knock airports with me is much greater, and always has been, than the engagement of Shannon. The amount of interaction those airports have created of their own volition is much greater. Ironically, when I arrived home from holidays this year, within 24 hours I was asked to meet the representatives of two airports in the west. One was Knock and the other was Galway airport. Representatives of Shannon Airport never sought to meet me. Perhaps that means something too.

Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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The Minister is responsible for the entire country. The examples of Knock and Galway are quite parochial. With regard to the IFSC, that was a project which was due to take place. The problem in Shannon is happening now and is creating major problems for the west and the midlands. I do not see the Minister, his Department or anybody in the Government doing anything positive to allay the fears and concerns of the people affected. They have mortgage payments and school going children. Nothing is being done.

The Minister says lateral thinking will solve this. Lateral thinking for the future might do something but at present there is a major problem in this area. It is within the Minister's jurisdiction but he has done nothing aside from say that he spoke to representatives of Galway and Knock airports. If representatives did not approach the Minister, why did he not approach them? Why did he not try to see how his Department could help in this situation? It is inconceivable that the Minister should use the example of representatives of two airports meeting with him and the other, which has a major problem, not doing so. Why did the Minister not take the alternative of offering his services to that airport?

Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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I met with the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance. Its representatives sought a meeting and it was promptly given. I also conveyed, in my own way, to Shannon Airport representatives that I would be willing to meet them. I cannot force somebody to seek a meeting with me.

Many positive things are happening in the region. The Limerick tunnel is being built, the Ennis bypass has been completed, work on the road to Galway is due to start next year and the rail line from Ennis to Athenry and Galway is under construction. These developments are happening because good work was put into them. I do not accept the Deputy's argument that Knock is more parochial than Shannon. My constituency is as near to Shannon Airport as it is to Knock airport, and I do not live in either county. The difference is that there has been a positive engagement over the years with Knock airport. Its representatives accepted what was possible for the Government to do and what was not possible. On that basis we have moved forward a great deal. I have not found the same realisation of what the Government can and cannot do in the Shannon context.

I have been clear on this issue, to a point where I am sure I have made myself unpopular. My view was that the people were asking the Government to do the impossible, which is fair enough, but in doing so they set out a negative perception of their area. They were not addressing the reality, which is that Aer Lingus will not change its mind so we must look in another pot.