Sir, – Way back in the 1950s, James Dillon, a Fine Gael minister, predicted that before very long, rabbits would be running free on the runway at the then fledgling Shannon. In 1984, Jim Mitchell, then minister for communications, described the Knock airport site as “far distant from any sizeable town, high on a foggy, boggy site” in Mayo and unrealistic for an airport.
Today Fine Gael wants to sell our State’s share in Aer Lingus. Fair play – at least Fine Gael is consistent. – Yours, etc,
SEAN Ó DÍOMASAIGH,
Dunsany,
Co Meath.
Sir, – The Government’s floundering over selling its stake in Aer Lingus recalls the founding of Ryanair 30 years ago.
The Irish government at the time tried to block Ryanair from flying to London, to protect Aer Lingus and ensure “connectivity”, but Margaret Thatcher’s deregulating Conservative government gave permission.
Since then the cheapest Dublin-London return flight has been cut by 94 per cent, from €804 to €50 in today’s prices. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Vienna.