Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join other colleagues in expressing my deepest sympathy to the family of Niall Donohue, a great hurler. We saw him play last year in the all-Ireland, when many hoped Galway would win. It is desperate.

I welcome the announcement by Ryanair this morning of eight new routes to Shannon. It is estimated that they will bring an extra 300,000 passengers into the airport and create 300 jobs. This is a very significant announcement for Shannon Airport. It proves that the airport is working as an independent entity. There will be a significant increase in passenger numbers. It proves also that the decision by the Minister for Finance to get rid of the travel tax is working. I commend Michael O'Leary because he has put his money where his mouth is and he will deliver greater passenger numbers to Shannon.