Madam, - The debate about the Aer Lingus decision on its Shannon to Heathrow route has lost the run of itself completely. Let's deal first with some of the nonsense.
The members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ireland - a group of business people - believe that an Irish private company has an obligation to them and their employees. Yet these same companies and other foreign investors have no qualms about making the same type of commercial decision as Aer Lingus when closing operations in Ireland and moving them to Eastern Europe or Asia.
Have we so quickly forgotten the deal done by two such companies, Xerox and IBM, which will result in the loss of about 900 jobs in Blanchardstown? I didn't hear Ibec or others up in arms and calling meetings on behalf of those 900 people. And let's not forget our own indigenous business people (including the tourist industry that is being so vociferous about Aer Lingus). There is not one of them above making commercial decisions in their own best interests and without reference to "regional development". Was Jurys Hotel sold to improve the prospects of its workforce, or of tourism in Ballsbridge?
Another part of the nonsense is typified by the Fianna Fáil TD on the Morning Ireland radio programme last Friday twice referring to Aer Lingus as a "semi-state organisation" - even though he was one of those who voted for its privatisation. Surely we should be concerned when we elect people to Dáil Éireann who so easily forget decisions that they made on matters of national interest?
This false vision of Aer Lingus is also apparent in the many references to it as our "national airline." It isn't!
Of course, the airline is happy to profile itself abroad, particularly in the US, as Ireland's national airline; but let's be honest: Ryanair has more claim today to the title.
Finally, according to statistics, only 25 per cent of travellers from Shannon to Heathrow uses it as a hub - ie, to travel onward to other destinations. And what about Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt?
I'm astonished that, with all the travel and tourism voices in this new campaign to restore the Heathrow link, they don't point out the options through these great world cities. I know from personal experience that these are excellent hubs.
Personally I regret Aer Lingus's decision. But what is needed now in Shannon is the same vibrancy and action that follows a major foreign investment closure. Those who are chasing false dreams about changing the mind of Aer Lingus should use that very same energy to put in place an alternative. - Yours, etc,
T GERARD BENNETT,
Templeroan Park,
Knocklyon,
Dublin 16.
Madam, - Throughout the uproar over Aer Lingus's decision to drop its Shannon-Heathrow route, the pro-Shannon lobby have criticised and attacked everyone involved but themselves. Surely, the Shannon Airport Authority and other organisations involved in the development of the region must bear some of the blame. They failed to offer any incentives, financial or otherwise, for Aer Lingus to stay.
Is it not a sign of blatant mismanagement that they should rely so heavily on a single, private company which is subject to the market and not to the moral responsibility that so many people claim Aer Lingus should carry? The simple fact is that Shannon Airport has not adapted to a modern age in which the Government cannot protect it - and it is now suffering the consequences. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN HINEY,
Clonkeen,
Ratoath,
Co Meath.
Madam, - So it seems privatisation doesn't work. Well, not for the people in the south-west. Aer Lingus's decision to pull a profitable and vital route out of Shannon is proof of the massive flaws of privatisation.
The Shannon-Heathrow route was a vital piece of international infrastructure which has been destroyed for the pursuit of profit.
No doubt hundreds, if not thousands, of jobs will be lost in the coming year because of this decision.
Worse still is the silence coming from the Government, which owns a quarter of the airline. Aer Lingus will profit from this decision but the people of Ireland will not. This is raw, unrestricted capitalism at its best.
This disaster lies at the feet of Bertie Ahern and Fianna Fáil. - Yours, etc,
KEITH MARTIN,
Páirc na Coille,
Westport,
Co Mayo.
Madam, - The Aer Lingus decision to move to the northeast from the west is privatisation in full flight - nothing more, nothing less. Could this timely wake-up call provoke a rethink that might save the health service from similar profit-motivated decision-making? It could be a blessing in disguise. - Yours, etc,
JIM O'SULLIVAN,
Rathedmond,
Sligo.