Statements on Shannon Airport - 10th October 2007

Statements on Shannon Airport – 10th October 2007
Senator David Norris: I am grateful to my colleagues
for allowing me some time to speak on
this issue. This was a ruthless executive decision
taken in a business context. From the parameters
of one perspective, this was a correct decision
because the guidelines were entirely economic
and directors might have been found to have
been neglectful of their responsibilities were they
to fail to make the greatest possible profit.
However, as the route was already profitable, this
was not a necessary decision.
Senator Ellis was chairman of the Oireachtas
Joint Committee on Transport on which I served
and this was one reason I spoke and voted against
the privatisation of Aer Lingus. One hears much
about privatisation and competition and I completely
disagree with my distinguished colleague,
Senator Ross, when he speaks about Ryanair and
Aer Lingus. While this action was meant to
produce competition, the first thing to happen
was that Michael O’Leary tried to use Ryanair to
gobble up Aer Lingus and establish a monopoly.
We would have lost a State monopoly only to
gain a monopoly whose only interests were greed
and the wealth of a small number of individuals.
This was also a political decision and the
Government undoubtedly knew about it.
Senator Alan Kelly: Hear, hear.
Senator David Norris: This was a ready-up
because it fitted in with the Government’s North-
South co-operation policy. Hence, this was a political
decision.
One should contrast the attitude adopted by
the Government on this issue, in which it shafted
the people of Shannon and Aer Lingus, to its
manoeuvrings when Members were in the process
of establishing a committee to investigate the ren365
Shannon Airport: 10 October 2007. Statements 366
dition flights that passed through Shannon Airport
and the lies that were then told in this
regard. The Government was prepared then to
gallop in at the behest of a strong Shannon lobby
for nakedly political reasons.
This issue has two elements. I refer to the business
element whereby one can justify what was
done in terms of harsh competitive realities.
However, I do not, because there should be a
social dimension. The only way to have one is by
retaining Aer Lingus in public control, which is
the reason I voted against the privatisation. All
the matters Members raised then are now coming
home to roost.