Pat O'Neill (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We have been given commitments on connectivity and the Heathrow slots from IAG. Those slots are the most important part of the Aer Lingus package, as Heathrow is the busiest airport in Europe. They give us connectivity to the rest of the world. The vision is that rather than Heathrow being used as a hub for the north Atlantic, Dublin and Shannon Airports will be part of the overall view of IAG's transatlantic travel. The Aer Lingus brand is one of the most recognisable in Ireland and worldwide. Ireland does not have many brands. There is Kerrygold in the food industry, and Aer Lingus is similar type of brand.

IAG has given a commitment that it will continue to grow our transatlantic routes. By 2016, we will have two new routes and, by 2020, four more. That will bring 2.4 million extra passengers through the Aer Lingus brand, the IAG brand or British Airways brand, whichever it uses. Senator Darragh O'Brien and Fianna Fáil seem to have a crystal ball. The Senator told us this will have a detrimental effect on jobs in Dublin, Shannon, Cork and Knock Airports and yet the Fianna Fáil crystal ball could not see the economic crash coming. I do not believe the Senator on this matter. The Fianna Fáil tactic most of the time is to scaremonger.

This is the correct decision for the future of the airline industry in this country. The Minister is not here but I ask the Leader to pass on one concern. The Heathrow slots are the most important slots. The only two airlines flying into Heathrow from Dublin are Aer Lingus and British Airways. It is important that we do not allow a monopoly situation whereby people could be exploited in terms of prices. We have Ryanair but it does not fly into Heathrow. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission should look into this to ensure people are not exploited.

I thank the Leader for the debate. This is an important decision for the country which will secure the future of an Irish brand, Aer Lingus, the tourism industry and connectivity with the rest of the world. The investment IAG will make in the Aer Lingus brand will further enhance it and make it a success. Aer Lingus has been successful over the past few years after its restructuring. I hope by 2020, we will have 650 new jobs, 2.4 million extra passengers and four new transatlantic routes and that if Senator Darragh O'Brien is in either House of the Oireachtas, he will acknowledge that the right decision.