Would it be in order to welcome the return of Senator Healy Eames from China?

That is completely out of order. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I compliment her on her successful visit to China.

That is not the purpose of the Order of Business.

It is important because she received very negative media coverage. It is only fair that her work should be recognised in this House.

That is not relevant to the Order of Business. Does the Senator have a question for the Leader?

I have. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on the position of Shannon Airport and the agreement to write off the €100 million debt, which is very welcome in the region, and to decouple the airport from the Dublin Airport Authority, which might not be the best decision in the long term? Fianna Fáil has an enormous record with Shannon Airport. It is the party that built, developed, maintained and retained the airport. For that reason, when Deputy Dooley spoke out he did so from a strong background, given where we stand on that airport.

Our position on Ireland West Airport Knock is that it is vital to retain that airport and, indeed, to give it similar support to that given to Shannon. Ireland West Airport is very important. It was built by Monsignor Horan and the people of Connacht and was supported by former Taoiseach, Charles J. Haughey, and a Fianna Fáil Government. The late Deputy Jim Mitchell described it as the foggy, boggy site. He was proved wrong.

That was Barry Desmond.

No, it was Jim Mitchell. I was there.

The Senators cannot even agree on that one.

Regardless of who said it, the point is that there was never a great tradition of support from the coalition Government for the Ireland West Airport, or Knock Airport as it was then. In the circumstances, there should be a discussion about this. Liam Scollan has expressed his view, and presumably to the Cathaoirleach and others. Given that the Taoiseach is from Castlebar, it is time to ensure there is a level playing pitch with Shannon and every other airport. Ireland West Airport is absolutely essential for the development of the west and it must be supported and developed by the Government. There must be a level playing pitch. I have no wish to see Shannon Airport being in a position to offer cheaper landing rates for airlines at the cost of the diminution of Ireland West Airport in Knock, County Mayo.