Regional development - Transport policy has failed utterly

THAT the announcement from Aer Lingus that it is to transfer its Shannon to London flight to Belfast was made at a time likely to limit embarrassment to the Government, will most certainly draw the usual criticisms. But the Government will respond saying the usual accusations from the usual, compromised voices is a cynical attack on government.

It is indeed part of an attack but the cynicism is all the Government’s. The level of embarrassment can be gauged by the silence from nearly all the government voices, usually so jealous of publicity.

This cynicism will also inform the Government’s efforts to ensure that this is seen as an Aer Lingus problem, not one of an impoverished and failed transport policy.