The Shannon-Heathrow controversy 31.08.07
Pictured at the meeting of Mayors and charepersons along the western seaboard as they met in Shannon yesterday afternoon. Pictured are, Back Row, Left to Right, Michael Healy-Rae, Mayor of Kerry, James Deegan, Chairperson of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly, Jim Casey, Mayor of North Tipperary, John Fahey, Cathaoirleach South Tipperary County Council, Front Row, Left to Right, Seamus Kilgannon, Cathaoirleach Sligo County Council, Sean Canny, Cathaoirleach Galway County Council, Lily Wallace, Cathaoirleach of the Mid Western Regional Authority, Ger Fahey, Mayor of Limerick City, Kevin Sheehan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Seamus Weir, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.
First up - The online petition, 13,271 signatures.
The above pictured people, chairpeople of their respective local and regional authorities, held what it described as an unprecedented meeting to discuss the impact on the withdrawal of Aer Lingus’ Shannon-Heathrow service. All those in attendance agreed to make presentations to their local authorities of matters discussed at the meeting.
Other people holding meetings with local bodies yesterday was a deputation from the Sinn Fein party.
Mary-Lou McDonnald MEP, Martin Ferris TD and Maurice Quinlivan, Sinn Fein Limerick, are hoping to form a political alliance in an effort to prevent the withdrawal of the Shannon-Heathrow service.
oday we had a positive and constructive meeting with Shannon Action Group at which we agreed to make contact with the leaders of all the opposition parties in a bid to form a political alliance against the withdrawal of the Shannon to Heathrow route. - Mary-Lou McDonnald MEP
I want to commend the Shannon Action Group who have re-energised the struggle for the Mid Western region which has been suffering due to Government failure to create proper balanced regional development - Maurice Quinlivan Limerick Sinn Fein
Transport Minister Noel Dempsey has serious questions to answer in relation to the advice he has received from the Attorney General concerning the retention of the Shannon to Heathrow route.
The Government told us, prior to the privatisation of Aer Lingus,
that the golden share that they were to retain would be enough to ensure that the national interest is maintained. It is unacceptable for Noel Dempsey to now tell us that the Attorney General advises that a majority shareholder vote would not be enough to ensure the retention of the Shannon to Heathrow route.The Minister has serious questions to answer in relation to this. Did he seek the advice of the Attorney General before the privatisation? And, if not – why not?
“If he did seek the advice of the Attorney General, why did he proceed with the privatisation in the knowledge that the national interest could not be guaranteed by the retention of the golden share? And why did he tell the Dáil that the golden share would guarantee the national interest. - Martin Ferris TD
The Irish Independent’s lie of omission - Whilst pointing out that the first week of Aer Lingus’ route to Heathrow from Belfast has only received fifty bookings, the paper neglected to mention that there were fifteen times the number of bookings from Shannon to Heathrow for the last week the route will be running.
Aer Lingus will face fierce competition in Belfast. BMI has flights from Belfast City airport to Heathrow, whereas Aer Lingus’ Belfast International Airport is located 18 miles from the City of Belfast.
Aer Lingus may be able to block a request by Ryanair for an Extraordinary General Meeting. If this happens, it could be up to ESOT, who as the holder of more than 10 percent of Aer Lingus, are also entitled to call for an EGM.
An interesting piece on Willie O’Dea in relation to Shannon
Also:
Mary White, Green Party Senator has a letter in Thursday’s Irish Independent