The Tánaiste will recall that a number of years ago Aer Lingus moved its Shannon to Heathrow landing slots to Belfast, which caused significant concern at the time in Limerick. I opposed the change at the time, as did the Tánaiste and her colleagues, and the decision was subsequently reversed. The lack of connectivity caused damage to business in the mid-west. There is now growing concern in Limerick and across the mid-west that the future certainty of connectivity might be in question given the takeover bid for Aer Lingus by AIG, which has been reported by the media.

Is legislation promised on the matter?

Could I ask the Tánaiste to provide certainty given the growing concern in Limerick? I have been contacted on the matter. I pose the question of whether it would be opportune to have a discussion on the issue in the context of balanced regional development?

I am not aware that there is any proposed legislation involved in terms of the Deputy's query, but if there are matters which he wishes to raise, via the Whip, in discussion with the other Whips, I am sure that is in order. Perhaps he would initiate such a discussion with his own Whip.