Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The Government already has memorandums of understanding for 850 jobs and is considering the potential for 3,500 jobs. I do not envisage any Member of either House having an issue with that. This is about using Shannon's assets as leverage. Shannon is a unique airport with the longest runway in western Europe. It has preclearance and lands that simply are not available to any other airport in Europe and these advantages must be used as leverage. I ask Members to support this measure, which is a fantastic opportunity for the region. I am from the region and was deeply involved in setting up this process and strategy. It is a new dawn and a new future for an airport for which the worst thing the Government could have done would have been to do nothing.