Dáil plea to keep air link

LABOUR has tabled a Dáil motion criticising the Aer Lingus decision to scrap its Shannon-Heathrow air services and calling on the Government to take all appropriate steps to ensure the service is maintained.

The move was announced by Limerick East Deputy Jan O’Sullivan yesterday when Labour Party public representatives from the mid-west region highlighted their opposition to the Aer Lingus decision.

Ms O’Sullivan said: “Given what we have heard from employers and investors over the past week, neither the Aer Lingus management nor the Government can be in any doubt about the potential social and economic consequences of this decision for the mid-west and western regions. We are determined that the plan will be defeated and we are not going to be fobbed off with substitute services to some other airport that would not provide the key links that Heathrow alone can guarantee.

“When we were expressing concern about the original plan to privatise Aer Lingus we were accused by Fianna Fáil of scaremongering and were given firm assurances that Ireland’s strategic interests would be protected.

“Very specific commitments were given in regard to the maintenance of sufficient services between the state’s airports and Heath-row.”

Ms O’Sullivan said while the decision has particular consequences for the mid-west and western regions, it also has national implications. “This will be the test of whether or not Government commitments, given at the time of privatisation, about protection of Ireland’s strategic interests, have any value at all,” she said. “It will also be a test for the Fianna Fáil representatives from the west and mid-west from Minister O’Dea down.”