Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House. I welcome the substance of this Bill in relation to Shannon Airport and its continuing fortunes. It is worth repeating the credit given by the Minister to the management at the airport, who have reversed the decline of traffic at the airport, which for some years was an issue of great concern. The board, headed by Ms Rose Hynes, and the management and staff deserve credit for their efforts in developing Shannon and putting it back on the right path.

In terms of tourism and the efforts with regard to the Wild Atlantic Way, this is a good time to be talking about Shannon Airport and its tourism and business potential. While Shannon Airport does not automatically follow into the Wild Atlantic Way, bringing passengers to the heart of that area is very important. Every effort that can be made to build stronger tourism on the west coast is very welcome. As I have said previously in this House, the Wild Atlantic Way has been an inspiration in terms of marketing the west coast of Ireland. I believe this Bill will in its own small way support that, although I accept that is not the intention of the Bill.

Like Members opposite, I have concerns about the pensions aspect of this legislation. I have received representations from the deferred pensions committee, which is of the view that it has been left out of the negotiations and its rights are being thrown out the door. I hope the Minister, if he is in a position to make some observations today, will give them some reassurance in this matter.

I know that the negotiations are ongoing and that a panel has been set up. There is a view among the group of people - which is a substantial group - that they have been left out of the loop and, obviously, they are anxious about the potential outcome. Some of the language that they have used is quite alarming. It is a matter of whether they have used such language because they are out of the negotiating loop. Perhaps they have not been kept in the loop by their own side. Perhaps they feel that this is a moment that they need to raise their concerns with us and, therefore, with the Minister.

I do not have a huge amount to say. I would like to take this opportunity to say that the Yeats 2015 celebrations, as of today, have been approved by Cabinet and it would be remiss of me not to say so.

In terms of what happens in Shannon and on the west coast we are all linked. On a very small island like Ireland it is impossible to say that Shannon Airport is not relevant because it is and so is the aviation traffic that comes to Ireland. I hope that we will do our bit to encourage and support the Wild Atlantic Way. Of course, through the Yeats 2015 celebrations, we will talk to Shannon Airport during that time and see how we can connect with each other. We want to ensure the continued success of the Wild Atlantic Way.

I welcome the Bill. Even though it is not my particular area of specialisation I can see that it is good and that there is progress in the right direction. As my colleague said earlier, it is good for rural Ireland to see investment and growth, and particularly to have the business side of the area assisted by the growth of the airport.

Lastly, Senator Barrett made reference to Cork Airport. I agree with him that it is a strong airport which has a good track record. I am sure that it is delighted to have been signed off in the legislation and that its development plan will grow as the years go by.