Jim McDaid (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)

Aer Lingus is a commercial company with a commercial mandate and has to make its own decisions. We do not interfere in a company which has a commercial mandate as such. However, Fianna Fáil has and will continue to have a political interest in the matter at Shannon Airport. Aer Lingus must ensure it can take its place among other airlines operating in the international aviation industry. One only has to look at what is happening around the world in the industry to understand the situation. I am a great admirer of Michael O'Leary who has said he will never go to Ireland unless Dublin Airport has a second terminal. I am all for a second terminal but Mr. O'Leary has a financial nose which is pointing towards Dublin because the current situation in Norway and France is not panning out. Whether it likes it, Ryanair will probably locate in Dublin because that is the financial reality.

Aer Lingus is trying to ensure it continues to have people like us admiring the way it has turned around. If one looks at what is happening worldwide, one will see that KLM and Air France have practically merged. In addition, I forecast that Olympic Airways will probably be no more after the Olympic Games. We must ensure we work in the best interests of Aer Lingus and the Irish aviation industry.

The situation is a difficult one but people are beginning to understand it better. I wanted to point out, however, that one cannot extol the virtues of one person while criticising him also, although I realise that the Shannon region is suffering as a result of what is happening. It has been suggested that Aer Lingus does not care about it anymore. Aer Lingus is a commercial airline which makes its own commercial decisions but, politically, I can assure the House that Shannon Airport will not be forgotten.