Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 November 2013
532. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he shares the concerns caused by Aer Lingus's decision to close the cabin crew base at Shannon Airport, a decision which will have serious negative impacts on sustainable regional development, particularly in terms of employment and the diminution of transport connectivity. [48379/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the new independent Shannon Airport company being a success and sustaining employment opportunities in the mid-west region and in that context I would, of course, prefer that, if possible, the base at Shannon remain open.
I welcome the current talks taking place at the Labour Relations Commission on the matter, and hope that it will be possible for the parties to reach an agreement. It is my preference that the base would remain open and that the staff should be normal Aer Lingus employees and that the additional jobs would go to normal Aer Lingus employees. The only way to achieve that, however, is for Impact and Aer Lingus to come to an agreement at the LRC and I hope they will be able to do that.
The State's 25% shareholding in Aer Lingus does not allow it to interfere in the day-to-day commercial operations of the company. Aer Lingus is a publicly quoted company and decisions regarding the company’s employees based at Shannon are a commercial matter for the company. As Minister I have no role in such decisions. However, I have communicated my preference to the Government-appointed members of the Aer Lingus board.
