asked the Minister for Transport and Power on what grounds he based his recent public statement in which he said that the entry of one American airline to Dublin would not have an adverse effect on Shannon Airport or western tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Airline Landing Rights.
8.
Mr. O'Donnell
The grounds for my statement are evident from the statement itself which reads as follows:
Aerlínte operates in both directions through Shannon Airport and will in accordance with Government policy continue to do so. The US Government have conceded, in principle, that any US airline which may be permitted to operate to Dublin will land in both directions at Shannon. In these circumstances, the admission of an American airline to Dublin could not of itself adversely affect the interests of Shannon Airport and the West whatever damage it might do to Aerlínte.
No decision on the landing rights issue has yet been reached by the Government who are determined to secure the best solution possible.
Mr. O'Donnell
Is the Minister aware that the views expressed by him are completely at variance with the views expressed by numerous organisations and public bodies including several Deputies from the west of Ireland, all of whom have been unanimous in their opinion that the entry of one American airline to Dublin, even with compulsory stops at Shannon, would have detrimental effects on Shannon and on western tourism? What advice has the Minister at his disposal or what information has he got that we have not had?
I explained all this fully and in detail and indeed discussed the whole ground at considerable length with the Deputy and other west of Ireland Deputies and the Shannon Action Committee last December in this House. The Deputy is well aware of that.