Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

Senator Paddy Burke is well aware that I intend to do so. It is important that the country as a whole should establish itself as a base for investment from Asia, particularly China, with a view to ensuring the continued growth of our economy.

The Minister, Deputy Cullen, addressed a number of the issues that remain to be considered. Of particular importance is the strategic issue of the slots at Heathrow Airport. The Government's decision to retain a crucial shareholding in Aer Lingus will ensure those slots are protected. An issue that is critical from the perspective of the west and mid-west is the importance of daily access to the United States. This is critical for tourism and for the development and retention of the business that has been established in the region on the back of the work done by Shannon Development over many years. As Senator Finucane is aware, an integral part of this is the necessity to ensure direct daily links between the east coast of the United States and Shannon Airport.

Anything that might threaten this would be of great concern not only to me but to all Oireachtas Members who represent the mid-west. However, the retention of the golden share in Aer Lingus will ensure the Government is in a position to deal with this issue over the coming years. There has been much talk in this regard about the liberalised market and the open skies policy in particular. The upside of this is the potential growth for Aer Lingus and the east coast but there is an equal amount of concern in the mid-west regarding the lack of service in that region. I hope the Government will utilise its influence in terms of the share ownership to ensure Aer Lingus continues to provide direct daily services from the west.

There is no doubt that the open skies policy is a major issue for Shannon Airport. I compliment the progressive approach of the group of organisations that have come together in the mid-west from both the public and private sector with a view to embracing the changes that will arise as a consequence of the open skies policy. This group is prepared to accept the challenges that lie ahead but has also clearly stated the necessity of support from the Government. I am hopeful that support will be forthcoming. What is required is a transition period to allow for the phasing in or out of the current bilateral situation. The current arrangement involves a one for one system in terms of the landing of aircraft from transatlantic points. The group to which I referred has stated clearly that a five-year period is required to facilitate the restructuring necessary for the transition to the open skies situation. This seems to be a reasonable timeframe.

There is a necessity to improve the infrastructure in the region to ensure the future viability of Shannon Airport. It is not merely a question of the future viability of the airport as a stand-alone structure. Shannon Airport has been and must continue to be a key driver in developing the economy of the region through foreign direct investment and through facilitating the business interests and the major international corporations that have developed there. It also serves as a gateway for tourism right along the west coast.

Critical in this regard is the upgrading of the N18 from Galway to Ennis to dual carriageway status, which is already under review by the NRA. This will reduce the journey time from Galway to Shannon to approximately 50 minutes and will ensure that large centre of population can provide Shannon Airport with the throughput of traffic that is so badly needed. Although it is already at an advanced stage in terms of the acquisition of lands, the fourth river crossing in Limerick must be expedited. I ask the Minister of State to consider these key infrastructural requirements as a matter of urgency.

Another important element is the delivery of the first phase of the western rail corridor. A rail connection from Ennis to Athenry will facilitate access to Shannon Airport for rail passengers from Galway. As part of this, the Government should secure the immediate involvement of Iarnród Éireann in the development of a rail spur from the Ennis to Limerick line which will connect at Sixmilebridge through to Shannon Airport. This is a short section of railway but it would make a significant difference to the airport in that it would create a triangle between Limerick, Ennis and Shannon. This would also facilitate access from Galway and the west if the western rail corridor becomes a reality. An issue that relates to tourism interests and Bord Fáilte Ireland is the necessity to deal with the marketing and branding of the region to ensure it is capable of dealing with the challenges that lie ahead.

I wish to put on record the tremendous commendation that is owed to workers in public sector companies for their ability to recognise the challenges ahead and their willingness to embrace the change necessary to take these companies into an environment in which competition is very much part of the reality, in a manner which will allow them to develop. Those who have devoted their lives to the development of these businesses — especially Aer Lingus workers — deserve all our recognition and thanks. Any changes to work practices must be undertaken in a sensitive way that takes cognisance of the tremendous input workers have made over the years. In many cases they have forgone wage increases in line with practices and customs that existed for many years in order to allow certain restructuring to take place. It is important at a time when we are discussing the part-privatisation of Aer Lingus that we should recognise the contribution that the workers, including those who have retired, have made to the company.