Joe O'Toole (Independent)

He has given life to Shannon, albeit only because he is playing one airport off against another. He played Shannon Airport off against Kerry Airport and the latter against Cork Airport, moving routes around like pieces on a board. That is the game he plays and we should take him on. He lost the war at Dublin Airport but he is still expanding the routes from it. After telling us he will not put another flight through it, he announces a new route the next week.

The value offered to those flying through Cork and Shannon is of major importance. Both are traveller-friendly airports that I wish to see promoted. I agree with Senator Ryan's points at the outset of this debate and I wish both airports to be debt free so they can hit the ground running. This will allow them to market themselves, expand and provide a service to the communities.