(1888PressRelease)
September 06, 2007 - Dublin, IRELAND, – In a meeting this evening with the Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey, the Mayor of Clare called on the Government to honour commitments and guarantees given in its initial public offering (IPO) for the privatisation of Aer Lingus.
Commenting on this evening's meeting on the Shannon-Heathrow issue, Mayor Patricia McCarthy stated, "I impressed upon the Minister, who appeared to have a better understanding of the concerns of business and tourism interests in the West of Ireland, that question marks remained over the commercial basis of Aer Lingus's decision to axe its London-Heathrow service from early next year. I told him that it did not make sense that the airline was moving from a monopoly position on a profitable route to Belfast where there is intense competition for business on the Heathrow route."
"I also informed Minister Dempsey of the significant difficulties that will be faced by the West of Ireland in selling industry and tourism to international markets should direct connectivity between Shannon-Heathrow be lost", stated Mayor McCarthy.
She added, "We use the connectivity provided by the international hub at Heathrow to sell the Region as a location for industry. Jobs will potentially be lost and millions of euro in investment will be squandered if this Government continues to renege on reassurances given in the past regarding the protection of this vital strategic route."
Following today's face-to-face talks with Mr Dempsey in his Department offices, a formal request was made on behalf of the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance for the Government to trigger the mechanisms in the Memorandum and Articles of Association to call an EGM of Aer Lingus.
"Business, political, tourism and community leaders in the West of Ireland are united on this issue and will continue to impress upon the Government the drastic consequences for the region of failing to retain direct flights between Shannon and Heathrow", she concluded.
Note to Editor:
Mayor Patricia McCarthy is available for interview on 087-4187132. Alternatively please contact Mark Dunphy of Dunphy Public Relations on 086-8534900 or media ( @ ) dunphypr dot com dot
Mark Dunphy
Dunphy Public Relations
Clonboula,
Connolly,
Ennis,
County Clare
IRELAND
www.dunphypr.com
media ( @ ) dunphypr dot com
00353-868534900 (Mobile)
00353-656839692 (Fax)
