Dublin dominance

Criticism of the dominance of Dublin in the political, economic, and social life of the country is often seen as little more than sour grapes on the part of rural Ireland.

But the fact is that such dominance is neither good for the capital nor the so-called provinces.

That dominance is exemplified by the disproportionate advantage enjoyed by Dubliners taking flights abroad. People who live in the South-West are used to the dreary regularity of heading to Dublin for flights.

Pat Dawson, head of the Irish Travel Agents Association, points out that Cork Airport is a hugely under-utilised facility and lays the blame squarely on the airlines, accusing them of using good road transport links to Dublin as an excuse for not providing more flights from Cork.

Airlines will do what suits them but they are susceptible to political pressure which is why government, opposition and independent politicians in the south west should be shouting Mr Dawson’s message from the rooftops.

Cork needs an international airport, not a white elephant.