This article is from page 4 of the 2007-08-28 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
CAMPAIGNERS angered by Aer Lingus’s decision to remove its Hea- throw slots from Shannon are expect- ed to be left disappointed, following Wednesday’s long awaited Cabinet na lexelUOTSR
All indicators suggest that when the ministers meet to discuss the plight facing the west as a result of Aer Lin- gus’s decision, all talks of how the
Government should vote at an Ex- traordinary General Meeting (EGM) of the company will be avoided. Instead the ministers are expected to be presented with a preliminary report from the “high level inter- departmental group” asked by the Taoiseach to examine the options for alternative air links to Shannon. Even Minister for Defence, Willie O’Dea — who originally said he be- lieved the Aer Lingus decision was
wrong and believed it could be re- versed — was pointing towards “an in-depth discussion” on alternative solutions to the “Shannon Crisis”.
The minister who had rejected the views of Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey and the Chief Executive of Aer Lingus, Dermot Mannion that the impact of ending the service was being exaggerated, will now face his colleagues for the first time since the Aer Lingus announcement.
He is pointing to the EGM, called by the largest shareholder Ryanair, as a last resort.
In the case of an EGM, the Govern- ment face three decisions.
Voting with Aer Lingus and sup- porting its decision to leave the west without any link to Heathrow will alienate not only a large section of the population but its own members in the west who are already speaking of a party split.
The second option would see the Government doing a U-turn and ral- lying behind Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and insisting the flights stay in Shannon.
This has the added political concern of how such a decision would impact on relations with the north.
The third option would see the Gov- ernment abstain from a vote, leading to questions as to why it retained shares if it is not going to have a say in the future of the one-time national airline.
This would also place Ryanair in a strong position to win the vote.
It is therefore likely that a cabinet, which has been slow to show support for those affected by the so-called “Shannon Crisis’, will exhaust all other options.
Political pundits are predicting a half-hearted statement on Wednes- day expressing commitment to re- gional development, connectivity and the future of the airport.