Mary White (Fianna Fail)

The Government and the Shannon Airport Authority are doing their level best to induce another airline to take up this opportunity. As Senator Ellis noted previously, it was a profit-making route and all Members must support the Government's efforts to secure another airline. If no other airline takes up the offer, Aer Lingus should be forced to give back two slots. I refer to slots from Dublin or Cork that do not operate at full capacity. The region requires connectivity to Heathrow.

A lady with great knowledge of industrial development in the mid-west, Ms Maura Saddington, spoke out on this issue, which is highly unusual for someone from the semi-State sector. She is on record in The Irish Times as stating the region needs the return of the slots in question. I call for a re-energised Government plan that prioritises the national development plan for the area, the production by the Minister of the tourism plan for the region, as well as a focus on re-energising the west and mid-west. Senator Daly may speak now.