The Mayor of Clare, Cllr Patricia McCarthy indicated that the Government must now make the next move regarding the retention of direct services between Shannon International Airport and London Heathrow. Mayor McCarthy explained that despite showing a scant disregard for its own regional development policies by failing to secure the strategic air link, the Government still had time to force Aer Lingus into a reversal of its decision to relocate its four Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast in January 2008.

She pointed out that the ACA had, in the absence of any initiative from Government, taken a step towards securing slots at London Heathrow by engaging with Astraeus Airlines to ensure that an application was lodged by the 11th Oct deadline.

Last week`s submission was made on behalf of the action group by Astraeus Airlines, an established provider of chartered and scheduled services throughout Europe, Africa, North America and Central Asia. The application seeks landing and take off slots at London Heathrow in line with the existing schedule of air services between the international hub and Shannon.

Mayor McCarthy, a member of the ACA, stated, I would like to ask the Taoiseach whether he is prepared to make the next move in terms of seeking a retention of the Shannon to Heathrow service or is he prepared to squander the future economic development of the west of Ireland, the very cornerstone of his own Government`s regional development policies.

She added, Aer Lingus`s decision to relocate the four Heathrow slots from Shannon to Belfast was made on commercial grounds that do not stand up. Therefore, as a significant shareholder in the airline I would implore the Government even at this late stage to use its considerable influence to secure a reversal of the decision. The ACA will continue to push for a reversal of a decision, which makes no sense on commercial grounds. In any event, the Government should now make the necessary arrangements to secure on a permanent basis Shannon`s slots at Heathrow.

Mayor McCarthy stated that the Taoiseach`s recent admission that the Shannon-Heathrow link could be lost has undermined the genuine efforts of those attempting to retain the service.

She continued, The Taoiseach`s Dail comments are especially contemptible considering the Government has failed to date to provide any real solutions aimed at retaining this strategically important link. Their much publicised attempt to persuade BMI to take up the route was just a cynical exercise aimed at giving the impression that action was being taken.

In years to come, will Bertie Ahern be known as the Taoiseach who sacrificed the future development of the West of Ireland for the commercial viability of a so-called national flag carrier? Or will he be remembered as the Taoiseach who made every possible effort to retain the service? The answer will be made known in due course as the clock continues to tick on the fight to retain flights between Shannon and the international hub at Heathrow, concluded Mayor McCarthy.