This article is from page 14 of the 2007-09-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 14 JPG
ENNIS Town Council is calling on the Government to clarify the legal position of the controversial Heath- row landing slots.
They want to know who the slots belong to and are also requesting the continuation of a Heathrow service after January 14, when Aer Lingus plan to cease operating the service from Shannon.
The reaction of members of the O1- reachtas to the Aer Lingus decision also came in for criticism.
Fianna Fail councillor, Peter Con- sidine said “We have to ensure the long-term continuation of the Shan- non-Heathrow service. It is an issue that is going to involve everyone from councillors to people on the eround. It is disappointing that some of our Oireachtas members appear more concerned about their own fu- tures rather the concerns of people in the region.”
The long-serving councillor was equally critical of Bord Failte and Tourism Ireland.
He said, “I must express serious disappointment at the lack of any- thing to be said by Bord Failte and Tourism Ireland on the matter.”
Cllr Considine added that Shannon
Airport Authority was in negotia- tions with other airlines about filling the gap vacated by Aer Lingus.
Mayor of Ennis, Tommy Brennan (Ind), also questioned the commit- ment of politicians to resolving a sit- uation that mid-west business chiefs have described as a major blow to the Kesta (One
“From what I have heard on the ra- dio, I think it is treating the people of this country with contempt.”
Fianna Fail councillor, Tom Glynn, said the Government must use its 25 per cent shareholding to block the WED Kol a
‘An alternative airline is not the an- swer. The Government must use its 25 per cent and get involved. That is the only answer.”
Independent councillor Frankie Neylon said, “We should be writing to Ian Paisley and Geoffrey Donald- son. I think we should be talking to them. We should appeal to people in the north to talk to the Government to show compassion to people in the mid-west.”
Town Manager, Tom Coughlan said early morning and late evening access to and from Heathrow had emerged as a key component in Clare County Council’s proposed en- terprise strategy.