The Industrial Development Authority (IDA) has backed calls by businesses in the midwest for the retention of direct flights between Shannon and Heathrow.
The IDA intervention comes as a Fianna Fáil cumann in Co Clare passed a motion of no confidence in Taoiseach Bertie Ahern over his handling of the decision by Aer Lingus to withdraw the Shannon-Heathrow service.
Speaking to the Midwest Regional Authority in Nenagh, the IDA's midwest regional manager, Maura Saddington, said: "The IDA has received numerous representations from key businesses in the region expressing concern over the potential loss of direct services to Heathrow.
"They have explained that high-quality access is irreplaceable and remains key to maintaining their operations in the midwest," she told the regional authority, which covers Clare, North Tipperary and Limerick city and county councils.
"High-quality access, as provided by the service to Heathrow, plays an invaluable role in attracting new companies to the wider region. The IDA therefore backs calls from the business community in the region for a retention of this vital service," she said.
There were indications last night that the authority is still hopeful a replacement airline can be found to operate the route.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil's Ennis cumann has voted in favour of a motion of no confidence in Mr Ahern, alleging he has shown a lack of leadership following the decision to axe the Shannon-Heathrow route. The motion is the first of its kind to be passed during the current leadership at any level in Fianna Fáil, although party headquarters last night said they were not notified of the vote.
Ennis cumann members said Mr Ahern had failed to provide political leadership on the Shannon-Heathrow issue and failed to recognise the need to protect the West's social and economic fabric.
Before the motion was put to a vote on Monday night, Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley expressed the need to focus on possibilities in the wake of the Aer Lingus decision, rather than to make demands that would be politically, legally and commercially impossible. Mr Dooley however, expressed his disappointment at the decision and his solidarity with the cumann in seeking to promote the region's social and economic needs.
The cumann's secretary, Garrett Greene, will communicate the text of the motion to the party's general secretary, Seán Dorgan. Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey expressed surprise that the cumann would act in such a fashion, and he dismissed Mr Dooley's criticism that he has shown "a cavalier attitude" as "a load of nonsense, basically".
Talks are under way with three other airlines about replacing Aer Lingus on the Shannon-Heathrow route, said Mr Dempsey, although British Midlands has so far denied that it is in talks.
The negotiations are now down to Shannon's airport authority, but Mr Dempsey warned it could take six or eight weeks before a decision is reached: "It's now down to euros and cents," he said.