Minister's visit:Green Party leader and Minister for the Environment John Gormley said last night the Aer Lingus decision to end the Shannon-Heathrow route was not in line with Government policy on regional development.
Speaking in Ennis after meeting business and tourism interests from the midwest, Mr Gormley said it was "very clear and we now have to face the difficult issues in relation to the independence of Aer Lingus". He added: "The fact that Aer Lingus operates as a commercially independent company, those issues need to be teased out in some detail with my Cabinet colleagues.
"It would be unwise and premature to comment any further until I've had an opportunity to discuss those issues face to face with my colleagues."
Mr Gormley said he "was not worried about any split in the Government" on the issue. "I've listened to the views expressed by various Cabinet colleagues . . . I think it is important there is a real debate. Obviously in any government you are going to get differences of opinion but it is important that we reach a decision and a decision that is in the best interests of this country."
He was critical of the timing of the announcement by Aer Lingus. "It is particularly regrettable that a decision was announced while most Cabinet Ministers were away."
The Minister said there had been "a lot of hyperbole" and it was time people stopped making "really dramatic statements" and began to tease the matter out in a rational way.