asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if it is intended that the repair and maintenance of the new Boeing 707 jet aircraft will be carried out at Shannon Airport.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Repair and Maintenance of Jet Aircraft.
5.
I understand from the company that it is intended that the repair and maintenance work on Aerlinte's new Boeing jet aircraft will be carried out, to the maximum extent possible, by the existing Aer Lingus maintenance organisation. This organisation is, of necessity, located at Dublin Airport.
Would the Minister not agree that if this maintenance work is to be carried out at Dublin Airport, it must, of necessity, have a very adverse affect on Shannon as the main trans Atlantic airport of the country?
I do not agree at all and, as the Deputy is well aware, other arrangements for maintenance work at Shannon are also proceeding.
Would the Minister not agree that if such a maintenance base is established at Shannon, it could, in addition, service other airlines as well as Aerlinte and that if it is not established there, Shannon Airport will lose that important employment?
As far as the Aerlinte management are concerned, I am sure they will adopt whatever procedure is most economical from time to time.
Arising further from the Minister's reply and also having reference to his recent public statements—particularly at Ennis—and having regard to the social necessity of maintaining Shannon as an important employment centre, would he not agree that policy should dictate that this maintenance work should be carried out at Shannon?
No. I think policy should dictate that it should be done in the most economic way possible.