Government scrapes by in Shannon vote
The Government tonight survived a Dáil defeat by one vote on its decision not to step in over Aer Lingus axing the Shannon-Heathrow route.
Blame for the close result was lain at the feet of up to 19 missing TDs, some of whom were said to have had urgent personal business.
The Opposition-backed motion had called on the Government to support efforts to seek replacement airline services for Shannon.
It is believed to have been the closest Dáil vote on any issue during Mr Ahern’s ten-year tenure.
Fine Gael Transport spokesman Fergus O’Dowd said the vote showed that a large number of Government TDs failed to support the Government.
The Aer Lingus decision, made in August when the Cabinet members were on holidays, has angered political, business and tourism representatives in the Mid-West who have led a campaign to reverse the move.
Mr O’Dowd said: “After just two days of the new Dáil we are already witnessing the instability at the heart of Government. ”With disunity and ill-discipline of this nature on the first two days of the Dail the Government has got off to a rocky and incoherent start.“
Earlier Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey insisted that Aer Lingus shareholders, such as the Government, did not have the power to overrule management decisions on business matters.
He added: “In effect, this means that even if the Government on its own, or in combination with other shareholders, called an EGM and voted for the restoration of this link, management of Aer Lingus is not obliged to follow any directions from the shareholders regarding business matters or to obey any resolution regarding such matters.”
The often-heated debate was observed by members of the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance group in the public gallery.
Co Clare TD Pat Breen said the issue had united the Mid West which was determined to reverse the decision.
“As I look across the floor I see Bertie’s team. We are watching them and they will be remembered by the people of the west and mid-west for their actions here today. The choice is theirs. They should join us and save the west of Ireland,” said the Fine Gael deputy.
Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley, who later voted with the Government, questioned the clandestine nature of the way Aer Lingus announced the decision.
“That approach has no place in today’s partnership approach to doing business. There is certainly a lack of consultation with the workers, the airport authorities and the Government,” he said.
