The Mayor of Clare called on members of the public on Monday 24th September to express their opposition to the axing of the Shannon to Heathrow service by attending the first full Government debate on the issue this Wednesday.

Cllr Patricia McCarthy urged people to join business, tourism and community leaders from the West of Ireland inside and outside the Houses of the Oireachtas when the Dail returns from its summer break.

The Mayor said she would also be seeking the support of colleagues from the wider region to make similar calls at a meeting of Local Authority and Regional Assembly representatives in Shannon tomorrow.

It is now time for the Government to deliver on the clear guarantees given regarding the Heathrow slots at Dublin, Cork and Shannon, and to secure permanent and quality connectivity between Shannon Airport and
London Heathrow, stated Mayor McCarthy.

She continued, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, who professes to be acutely aware of the challenges faced by the Region as a result of the Aer Lingus move, must now bring the solution to the Dail Chamber.
Everyone concerned welcomes the ongoing discussion of the issue at national level but remain frustrated at the lack of any real movement on the issue, in terms of the long-term retention of the Shannon-Heathrow link.

Mayor McCarthy said that tourism, business and community leaders along the Western Seaboard had no intention of relenting on the issue and would continue to impress upon the Government their real and genuine concerns. She said that the Shannon-Heathrow issue was one of national importance and that the Government must use its leverage with Aer Lingus to secure the full reinstatement of the service.

Commenting ahead of Tuesday`s meeting (25 September) of Mayors, Chairs and Managers from 11 City and County Council`s along with senior representatives from two Regional Assemblies, Mayor McCarthy stated, My colleagues and I will be calling on elected representatives from the Region and beyond to show their opposition to the Aer Lingus move during the upcoming Government debate.

Tuesday`s meeting in Shannon will be attended by the Mayor of Clare, Cathaoirleach of Sligo County Council, Mayor of Roscommon, Mayor of Galway City, Cathaoirleach of Galway County Council, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council, Mayor of Limerick City, Mayor of Kerry, Mayor of North Tipperary County Council, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary South County Council and Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

Also in attendance will be senior representatives of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly; Mid West Regional Authority; and the Border, Midlands and Western Regional Assembly.

Mayor of Clare Cllr. Patricia McCarthy described the meeting as a show of unity ahead of Wednesday`s scheduled Dail debate.

I will also be asking for their support in calling on people from the West of Ireland and elsewhere to step up their vocal opposition to Aer Lingus`s move by filling the public gallery during the Government debate, along with participating in protests outside the Dail, concluded Mayor McCarthy.