Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader arrange a debate on employment and job creation as a matter of the utmost urgency? I must also express my heartfelt regret at the Government's decision to cease the public service obligation, PSO, routes from Sligo, Galway and Knock airports. I accept value for money issues were raised and it may be difficult to get the European Commission to approve the PSOs.

However, if we are to be serious about the national spatial strategy and the selection of gateway centres, Sligo included, we must ensure they are served by the most modern and effective transport connections. The Government's regrettable decision on the PSOs will have a grave impact on the capabilities and marketability of Galway, Sligo and similar towns as locations for foreign direct investment.

Will the Leader make contact with the Minister for Transport, Deputy Noel Dempsey, and the Taoiseach to ensure the core airport management operational expenditure subvention, OPEX, and capital expenditure grants, CAPEX, are maintained to allow the airports in question make a justifiable and credible bid to keep the connecting routes open with Aer Arann and the other airlines involved? If we are to navigate our way out of this recession, it is essential gateway centres play a part in job creation. To do that, it is our responsibility to ensure they have all necessary infrastructure in place, transport included.