Sir, - It seems that an important point has been overlooked in the debate surrounding Aer Lingus's near collapse: Ireland is the only member-state of the EU without a land link to its continental partners.
There are tunnels, bridges, motorways and railways linking the rest of the EU countries and all of these international routes were wholly or partly paid for and supported by state/European funds.
The EU should allow direct subvention of Ireland's airlink with the Continent - just as it supports these other international connections. - Yours, etc.,
Stuart Green, Moyne Road, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.