The Taoiseach, hotel industry representatives and a trade union are all expressing the same concern — that a Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus would result in less competition for consumers.

Business and tourism leaders in the Mid-West have welcomed the plans to split Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority.

The temporary 9% VAT rate has been extended to the end of 2013 in a move that will benefit the tourism sector and in particular restaurants and hotels.

Transport and Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar has confirmed that Shannon Airport is to be separated from the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).