Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey has said Aer Lingus told a department official on June 13th it was considering moving its Shannon-Heathrow operations to Belfast, but the matter was not brought to his attention until six weeks later.
The information was contained in response to a written parliamentary question from Fine Gael Limerick East TD, Kieran O'Donnell, who asked when Mr Dempsey's attention was drawn formally or otherwise to Aer Lingus's proposal to withdraw its services from the Shannon route.
In reply to the question, circulated yesterday, the Minister said a media article on June 13th reported the possibility of Aer Lingus opening a new base in Belfast. "Following a query to the company by my department on foot of that article, the company, on June 13th, indicated that it was considering opening a new base at Belfast and that, if the proposal proceeded, there would be implications for Shannon."
He added: "An official conveyed the concerns of the department from an aviation and regional development perspective, about the implications for Shannon and asked the chief executive to give full consideration to the ways in which a new base might be accommodated before arriving at a decision, which he agreed to do. The matter was not brought to my attention."
Mr Dempsey, who was appointed Minister for Transport on June 14th, the day after the official was told of the possible Shannon move, said a department official contacted Aer Lingus on July 27th arising from a query to the company on industrial relations matters.
It was confirmed that the company's plans for a new base had solidified and a formal announcement was to be made on August 8th and that the opening of the new Belfast base would involve the reallocation of Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast from early 2008.
Mr Dempsey said in an e-mail to his private office on July 27th the official stated: "The company intends to announce a new Belfast base on 8 August. This will involve the reallocation of Shannon-Heathrow slots to Belfast from early 2008." The official then referred to concerns he had raised with the company.
The Minister added that a meeting between him and the chairman and chief executive of the company was arranged for the earliest opportunity, August 3rd, to enable him to discuss the matters with the company.
Last night Mr O'Donnell said he found it "incredible" that this was known by the department on June 13th and "that the Minister states he was unaware of this decision until his private office received an e-mail on July 27th, a month and a half later. I find it unbelieveable."
