As it is the Minister's stated intention to develop regional airports, does he not agree that it is not in the interests of such airports that our national airline should be operating fares to Dublin out of those ariports in the region of £10 and £15 as an add-on fare out if this country? I was under the impression that an application, as mentioned by Deputy Deasy, had been sent to his Department for Aer Lingus to operate an internal flight between Waterford and Dublin and, if so, will the Minister look closely into the matter to ensure that passengers will not be diverted from the local regional airports on the basis that another airline are using their position on a ridiculously cheap fare to remove passengers from that airport and put that airport out of business? This is a very important issue. As his Department are also funding the development of these regional airports, surely it would be a contradiction if that were allowed to happen. Will he look into the matter if an application is received?

I accept the major premise in the Deputy's statement that as we are investing in the regional airports we want them to succeed and prosper.