A Mayo-based Fianna Fáil TD is proposing that the Government buys out the Heathrow slots that Aer Lingus is leasing to other airlines.
The suggestion comes as the row over the airline's axing of its Shannon-Heathrow route rages on.
The Heathrow slots are due to become available again next year and the year after.
Dara Colleary says they should be reserved for airports along Ireland's west coast to guarantee that the region has access to Heathrow.