An email was sent to my Private Secretary by an Assistant Secretary in my Department which stated that Aer Lingus intended "to announce the new Belfast base on 8th August. This will involve the reallocation of Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast from early 2008".
A meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive was arranged for the earliest opportunity — 3rd August. At the meeting, which was also attended by officials, the Chairman and Chief Executive informed me of the decision to open a hub in Belfast and to reallocate all of the Shannon Heathrow slots to a new Belfast-Heathrow service.
In the aftermath of the decision I had contacts, direct and indirect, with the Chairman of Aer Lingus during which I conveyed the Government's views to him.
I had a more formal meeting with the Chairman and Chief Executive on August 28th the details of which I outlined to the House on 18th October. Since 3rd August I have spoken to Aer Lingus board members, civil servants, public representatives and many others.