Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 302: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made in the Government's efforts to retain the Shannon/Heathrow route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32316/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The securing and maintaining of routes is a matter for the relevant Airport Authority. Since the announcement by Aer Lingus of its decision to withdraw from the Shannon Heathrow route the Shannon Airport Authority has been actively engaging with airlines with a view to securing new services that would redress the reduction in connectivity that will follow from withdrawal of the Aer Lingus service. With a view to promoting the development of new services the airport has published a European Hub Airport Incentive Scheme for services to come into operation in 2008.

The Airport Authority has specifically identified airline services to the key European Hub airports of London-Heathrow (LHR), Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS) and Frankfurt Main (FRA) as being of key strategic importance to its ongoing development. The Scheme also provides for significant discounts in airport charges and for the possibility of marketing support to be provided by Shannon Airport for new services.

Separately, I have also asked my Department to consult with the EU Commission on the options for facilitating the provision of air services to meet the connectivity requirements of the west of Ireland in a liberalised, competitive aviation market.