Gilmore hits out at Government over Shannon controversy

The Government can’t continue to ignore evidence that the mid-west will suffer enormous damage by Aer Lingus scrapping its Shannon-Heathrow service, the leader of the Labour Party said today.

Eamon Gilmore said having spoken to business, commercial, tourism and trade union interests in the region, he is more convinced than ever that the airline’s decision will inhibit further investment and jeopardise existing employment in this area.

He said the Government must ensure connectivity between Shannon and the key Heathrow hub by ensuring the move is reversed.

The former state flag carrier revealed on August 7 its plans to open its first base outside the Republic of Ireland at Belfast International Airport, resulting in the termination of its Shannon-Heathrow service in January.

The Government – which still owns a 25% stake in the company – has come under fire for refusing to force the airline to change its decision.

Mr Gilmore said there is little doubt that if Aer Lingus had made the announcment two weeks before the general election, the Government would have intervened rapidly.

He also warned the issue will be high on the agenda when the Dáil resumes on September 26.

“It might well be that neither the Government or the Aer Lingus management appreciated the potentially negative economic impact of the Shannon decision, but neither can be in any doubt at this stage,” he said.

“I believe the first thing the Government should do is to publicly ask the Aer Lingus management to reconsider their decision in the national interest.

“There have been many occasions in the past where multi-national companies have been threatening to pull out and where government ministers have intervened to urge them to stay.

“Surely in a situation where the government, on behalf of the Irish public, retains a 25% shareholding in the Aer Lingus, they are entitled to ask the management to reconsider its decision, given the dire consequences of the scrapping of the routes.”

Jan O’Sullivan, party TD for Limerick East, urged all of the mid-west and west representatives to support Labour’s Dáil motion calling on the Government to take every action necessary to retain the air link, including, if necessary, the convening of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the company.

“It is clear to me now that the Dáil floor is the only place where this decision can be changed,” she continued.

“The suggestion of bringing in another airline to provide connectivity for Shannon is an entirely separate issue with no long term security and without the extensive connections available from Heathrow we should not allow the debate to be deflected with vague promises of alternative airlines.”