Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Yes. There must be a way to deal with the situation. We would not be creating a precedent because this is already a special case, which everyone understood to have been resolved. I ask the Leader to look into this matter, which is of extreme urgency for the community in that area.

In March, the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, quite properly stated that he would not allow the EU negotiate a new agreement for Shannon Airport without a satisfactory alternative being in place. However, he has weakened the case by conceding ground in recent days. In my view, the Government, not the EU, is now pushing for change. With respect, the Minister has broken the golden rule of negotiation, namely, that there is no such thing as a free lunch. He has totally weakened our position. The situation needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency. I again call on the Leader to use her good offices in this regard. This is a matter of some concern to the areas outside the Pale, particularly those on the western seaboard.