Kieran O'Donnell (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I welcome his commitment to examine the proposal submitted to his Department last Friday by Shannon Group on the need for a strategic route development fund as a contingency plan in the context of Brexit. This is about contingency planning now but it may become a reality very soon. In that regard, it is about preparation. We cannot have a situation arising where the entire western seaboard of Ireland, including the mid-west where I live, has no European connectivity. Cork has such connectivity, as does Dublin. It is important. This could arise as a result of something completely outside the control of Shannon Airport. This is Shannon Airport's backstop. I welcome the fact that the Minister will shortly meet the airport group. The arrangements for that are being finalised.Will the Minister reaffirm that he will give serious consideration to the proposal for a Brexit strategic route development fund for Shannon Airport in order to establish a European hub there and ensure that we are Brexit ready and not wholly reliant on the London Heathrow route, for which there may be implications when the UK withdraws from the EU?