Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 273: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received the report from the group of senior officials, operating under the auspices of his Department, who were asked to evaluate the implications of the Aer Lingus decision to end its Shannon-Heathrow service; the number of occasions on which the group has met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20136/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Government considered the Report of the Senior Officials Group, chaired by a representative of the Department of An Taoiseach, on the 26th September this year. The group met on 4 occasions. The Government endorsed the analysis and conclusions of the Group and agreed to ask relevant Ministers, following consultation with the four Mid-West planning authorities, together with the Mid-West Regional Authority, to report back to Government as soon as possible on strategies for unlocking the further development potential of the Limerick-Shannon Gateway and its wider region. The Report is available on the websites of both my Department and the Department of An Taoiseach.

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Question 274: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting on 20 August 2007 (details supplied). [20135/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Taoiseach met with the Chairman of the Atlantic Way on the 20 August 2007 in the context of the decision announced by Aer Lingus to withdraw the Shannon Heathrow service. The Chairman expressed concern about the lack of consultation on the part of Aer Lingus before the Company announced its decision. The views of the Atlantic Way relating to the economic development of the Shannon region, which were also expressed in written form and at a further meeting at official level, were taken into account by the Senior Officials Group established at the initiative of the Taoiseach and tasked with assessing the implications of the Aer Lingus decision and the options facing the Government.

The Report of the Senior Officials Group was endorsed by the Government on the 26 September and is published on the websites of both the Department and the Department of the Taoiseach.