Killeen denies govt knowledge of Aer Lingus decision

Junior Minister Tony Killeen has denied that the Government was aware last week of Aer Lingus' plans to axe its Shannon-Heathrow route.

Reports today claim Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey learned of the decision during a function he attended with Aer Lingus chief executive Dermot Mannion last Friday.

However, Mr Killeen said today that this was not true.

The Government is coming under intense pressure from business leaders to intervene in the Aer Lingus decision, but Mr Dempsey has insisted that he will not be doing so.

Mr Killeen said today that he would like to see Aer Lingus change its mind, but if that's not the case, the Government must support the Shannon Airport Authority.