Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 103: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department has undertaken an assessment of the implications for industrial development and job creation generally in the west and mid west regions of the plan by Aer Lingus to end its Shannon Heathrow service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25376/07]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I share the sense of regret and disappointment voiced by business leaders and public representatives in the west and mid-west that Aer Lingus intends to cease its scheduled air service between Shannon and London Heathrow.

Shannon Development and the City and County Enterprise Boards have a key role to play in promoting the development of the mid west region in line with the Government's policy objective of ensuring balanced regional development and the implementation of the National Spatial Strategy.

I have met business leaders in the region and fully appreciate their concerns about the implications of the decision and the merits of the business case made for a Shannon — Heathrow service, not least because of the connectivity available to European and long-haul destinations from Heathrow. I have also asked the relevant agencies to work closely with the companies affected to explore means of overcoming the obstacles presented by the Aer Lingus decision.

My Department was represented on the Senior Officials Group set up by the Department of the Taoiseach to examine the implications for the region of the Aer Lingus decision and has also contributed to the preparation, by the Department of Transport, of an Economic and Tourism Development Plan for the Shannon Airport catchment area. The purpose of the plan is to ensure that the region is well placed to respond to the challenges and opportunities emerging in the context of full liberalisation of the transatlantic aviation market and the phasing out of the Shannon Stop as envisaged under the EU-US Open Skies Agreement. I understand that the Plan is nearing finalisation.

Having regard to the findings of the report by the Senior Officials Group and the actions outlined in the Economic and Tourism Development Plan, the enterprise development agencies will continue to work in partnership with other stakeholders in the region to identify and bring forward new initiatives, projects and programmes to maximise the development potential of the west and mid west.