Lobby group is ready to take Shannon fight to court
Yesterday, a strategic committee set up after a meeting of 300 community and business leaders launched a concerted campaign to fight the move.
Ennis solicitor and chairman of the Shannon Region Tourism Development Board Michael Houlihan said it could end up in court.
He studied the initial public offering, which set out the conditions of its floatation, and said Aer Lingus management was in breach of its responsibilities to the stock market by removing Shannon’s Heathrow service.
“They have very serious obligations to the stock market and to their shareholders. I am very keen that this be looked into... (Aer Lingus) is obliged to abide by the terms of the company set out when it was launched on the public market,” he said.
He added the prospect of a judicial review would be a matter for the new strategic committee. This was formed after the meeting in Shannon’s Park Inn hotel.
The committee said an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) of Aer Lingus shareholders should have been called.
Chairman of Shannon Development John Brassil, who hosted yesterday’s meeting, called on the Government to use its shareholding to convene this EGM.
Mr Brassil also asked Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to break his silence on the issue.
He said the strategic group wanted an urgent meeting with Mr Ahern.
“If we have to, we’ll fly to Heathrow to meet him,” he said.
Yesterday, major employers from the area signed up to the campaign and relayed the concerns of multinational executives.
Nortel’s head of European marketing, David Silke, said its Galway base was under threat.
“I see this as the most significant issue we have been faced with in the past 30 years,” Mr Silke said.
Also represented in the strategic committee is SIPTU regional secretary Joe Cunningham who said the lobby must cast aside traditional rivalries.
He said despite the union movement’s grievances with Ryanair he was happy to work with its chief executive, Michael O’Leary, if his share in Aer Lingus could be used to restore the Heathrow link.
“To be honest the chance of me standing up for Michael O’Leary under normal circumstances is nil.
“But we have to support whoever is able to keep the slots for London Heathrow,” he said.
The meeting began at midday with 300 delegates. People arrived from every county on the western seaboard representing interests as diverse as basic manufacturing, tourism, sport and politics.
Inside, each speaker was rewarded with a repeated ripple of applause.
In attendance were Aer Lingus workers, who said they had received no further clarifications about the company’s plans since Tuesday’s shock announcement.
Impact cabin crew member Eva Harrison said the meeting was a boost for their morale.
“It was nearly emotional to see such unity and to see the affect it is having and the support from so many different groups.”
Her colleague Tony Kinnane said workers accepted restructuring would be a part of any outcome but this had been recognised long before the Heathrow route was removed.
At the meeting Timmy Dooley TD spoke on behalf of the Fianna Fáil politicians. He called for a measured response from the local lobby and for groups to “step back” and assess how the campaign should be structured.
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