Mid-west TDs fail to show for Dáil debate on minister’s note

MAVERICK mid-west Fianna Fáil backbenchers who previously criticised the Government’s failure to intervene in the Shannon controversy were absent for yesterday’s Dáil debate.

Outspoken TDs such as Timmy Dooley, John Cregan and Niall Collins, and Defence Minister Willie O’Dea failed to appear in the Dáil chambers for the half-hour debate on the revelations that Department of Transport officials knew of Aer Lingus’s proposed pull-out in early June.

Also absent were Limerick East’s Peter Power and Clare TD and Minister of State at the Department of the Environment Tony Killeen.

Last night, Limerick East’s Timmy Dooley who monitored the proceedings on television, described the current controversy as an “appalling situation”.

“It’s difficult to second guess what might have been if the minister had received the document in June, whether or not Aer Lingus would have allowed any interference on the matter or whether the Government could have intervened at all,” he said.

Having spoken with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Mr Dooley said he was absolutely assured and convinced by the Government’s version of events.

However, he said: “It’s not acceptable that the minister wasn’t informed. It further erodes confidence in the system and I think it’s a great shame that public officials are not brought to bear ... It’s always a minister and politicians who have to suffer the wrath.”

He further claimed there were some people “embedded in the Department of Transport” who have a “bias” against Shannon and advocate having only one major international airport.

Clare’s John Cregan, who had kept abreast of the ensuing debate by means of news reports, said if the minister had received the document in June, it might have allowed the Government more time to do something.

“We had a meeting with the minister and each and everyone of us were assured about what happened. I’ve been left in no doubt as to what to believe,” he said.