Timing of announcement politically influenced

THE timing of Aer Lingus’s Shannon-Heathrow announcement, following the Dáil and Seanad elections and during the long summer recess of both Houses, was both politically and public relations-influenced.

The reaction of vested interests in the Shannon region was over-the-top.

In contrast, Fr Harry Bohan suggested doing something practical like sourcing other airlines and seeking to acquire some of the Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow.

The silence of Transport Minister Noel Dempsey, until he was forced to comment, has shed no lustre on him or the Government. Ministers from the region will have difficulty convincing people they were unaware of this decision, which was certainly not made overnight.

In the interests of democracy it is imperative we can trust what ministers tell us and we must demand that they cease to use expensive spindoctors — many of them party hangers-on. No one has really challenged the waste of taxpayers’ money in the administration of government. It is high time the opposition proved they have the ability to make Government accountable.

John J Hassett

Croke Street

Thurles

Co Tipperary