Backbenchers demand Ahern intervention

THE Taoiseach should urgently recall his cabinet and reconvene the Dáil in order to deal with the mounting industrial crisis in Shannon, Fianna Fáil backbenchers insisted last night.

Leading the charge, Limerick West TD John Cregan said the matter was now a serious matter for the Taoiseach and called for immediate Government intervention.

“The State cannot stand idly by while holding a strategic share in the company which in my opinion was held initially for the very purpose of ensuring that Aer Lingus could be prevented from taking such decision,” he said.

“I think the Dáil will have to be reconvened as it is such a serious matter… I think the Government should consider whatever options to ensure that this decision is reversed.”

Stating that there was now “enormous pressure” on backbench TDs, Mr Cregan said he and his colleagues needed the forum of the Dáil in order to relay their concerns and proposals.

“I believe it’s an issue for the Taoiseach. It’s that serious. There is now a crisis in the mid-West region,” he said.

Supporting his constituency colleague in calls for a reconvening of the Dáil, Niall Collins TD said the Government should form whatever strategic alliances are needed to have Aer Lingus reinstated, even it meant a “half-way house” solution of reducing flights.

“I think the Government needs to use its position as a shareholder to convene a board meeting to have this decision reconsidered,” he said.

While cautious of the Government supporting Ryanair in order maximise its shareholder position, Clare’s Timmy Dooley said cabinet action was now required.

“Ryanair’s objective has always been profit and it seems Aer Lingus is now following suit. I would take what Michael O’Leary has been saying with a grain of salt. Instead, I believe the Government has an absolute duty to protect this region and oversee a reversal of the decision,” he said.

Limerick East TD Peter Power said yesterday that he had written to Transport Minister Noel Dempsey urging him to accept Ryanair’s offer to back at board level the plan to seek alternative ways of carrying out the Belfast move without pulling out of Shannon.

Mr Power said he was willing to organise a delegation of the regions main players in industry, regional development and local government to meet with the minister and Ryanair.

“At this moment nearly 1,000 high value direct jobs are at risk from this decision which was taken with out consultation or justification. This is not how major companies carry out business,” he said.