Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I am sure the Minister will be more than able to defend himself, based on the projections.

I urge the Minister to bring forward without delay a commitment he has made to me and others in the region on the link from the Ennis-Limerick rail line to Shannon. A number of proposals have come forward from people in the region. It is critical to have a rail link to the airport as it would help augment the road infrastructure. The Ennis-Limerick-Shannon triangle has the capacity to provide a viable service. The current enhanced service put in place by Iarnród Éireann between Ennis and Limerick shows that, like the Luas, it has the capacity to surpass all the projections made in the early stages and there is even greater potential if Shannon is included in the equation.

If the Minister continues to deal with the infrastructural elements around the airport, he will provide the confidence and, perhaps, safety mechanisms which are not covered in the legislation. These elements have the potential to isolate Shannon to some extent. If they are addressed they will shore up the viability and future of Shannon in the short term. The short term is the critical period. I do not doubt the viability of Shannon in the future or its potential growth. However, it is in the embryonic stages of the bedding in of these decisions that the greatest potential problems exist. We must ensure we put in place the necessary safeguards to ensure Shannon gets through that embryonic stage and that it can take account of population growth and the significant year-on-year growth in leisure travel.