Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

It is not necessary for me to highlight the anxiety of people in Shannon and the mid-west in general over the impending changes which they feel will have serious consequences for their long-term employment opportunities. The new development pertaining to Aer Lingus, the changes to Aer Rianta and the possible changes to the bilateral agreement between Ireland and the US are further causes of anxiety. Will the Leader draw the Minister's attention to this anxiety? Will he outline, before we conclude this session, the prospects for the mid-west area? Can he allay the fears of hundreds of people in Aer Lingus, Shannon Development — there are also impending changes to this organisation — and Aer Rianta at Shannon and assure them where their future lies?