Phil Prendergast (Labour)

It is not good enough for the Minister for Transport and the Marine to wash his hands of this Aer Lingus decision. What use is it for the Government to have a 25% stake in Aer Lingus when the Minister expressed no interest or concern when critical decisions that seriously eroded the region's competitiveness were taken that affected its potential attractiveness for foreign direct investments? The Government continues to spin the need for greater regional development. At the launch of the national spatial strategy for 2007 to 2013 Shannon and Limerick were awarded gateway status but Limerick and the greater mid-west region continue to fall behind other parts of the country. This is a serious body blow to that area.

The people of the mid-west want their representatives in the Government parties to show leadership and courage in the face of Cabinet silence following this disastrous decision to scrap the flight services between Shannon and Heathrow. Crying crocodile tears will not help anybody. Senior Ministers cannot continue to bury their heads in the sand and hope this issue will go away. That will not happen. There is an immediate and real threat to jobs and investment as a result of the Aer Lingus plan. I am aware hotels and other businesses in the Galway area are deeply concerned about the potential damage of taking away this key route to London Heathrow. The latest decision makes a mockery of proposals for development of the west and the principles of regional development and planning.