Madam, - I find it cynically amusing that the Shannon Atlantic Technology Group are threatening to withdraw support for the Government if the Shannon stopover is changed. They must be joking. Who is supporting whom? The Government has poured money into the Shannon region for generations, with very little return.
It is clear that subsidies do not work. Shannon is soft and inefficient and is a huge drain on the public purse. The malaise has now spread to Galway, Knock and Kerry, which keep demanding more and more freebies.
As a Cork Airport user I object to discriminatory treatment of any region. Cork Airport does not get a cent from the Government and has both paid its way and been a contributor to the Government's coffers for years. This was achieved despite persistent poaching of its business with the help of large marketing funds available to Shannon Airport.
The efforts of Seamus Brennan to create a market-based aviation policy has stimulated concerted opposition at Shannon, especially from those who have no qualms about depriving Cork, and other regions, from having transatlantic services.
Let the market decide. If airlines wish to serve Cork, or any other region, they should not be prevented. If customers are willing to pay for a service it should not be denied them in the interests of pandering to trade unions, politicians, or business interests who are selfish and parochial at all our expense. Hard graft is the best policy - not handouts. - Yours, etc.,
RONALD DUNNE, Blackwater View, Mallow, Co Cork.