Tanaiste: Low cost terminal a must to avoid job losses

Tanaiste Mary Harney has warned further jobs will be at risk in the aviation and tourism sectors if Aer Rianta rejects the Government recommendation to set up a low cost air terminal.

Aer Rianta has indicated it believes the so-called ‘Pier D’ may contravene competition laws.

However Tanaiste Harney rejected this suggestion.

She said: "It would be a real missed opportunity if we put further jobs at risk in this economy, particularly in regional locations, if we don’t provide these kind of low cost facilities".

Mary Harney has also stated that the Government strongly believes the low cost facility must go ahead to avoid a further downturn in the Irish aviation industry.