Dempsey Dismisses Criticism of Govt Over Shannon Affair

A local Fianna Fail cumann in Co Clare has passed a motion of no confidence in Bertie Ahern, accusing him of failing to show leadership on the issue.

Mr Dempsey has also been personally criticised by local Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley, who has accused him of adopting a cavalier approach to Aer Lingus’s decision to axe its Shannon to Heathrow flights.

Asked about the matter today, he said local Fianna Fail members were entitled to their decision, but he described Mr Dooley’s comments as “a load of nonsense”.

Former Transport Minister Martin Cullen, meanwhile, said today that he would have preferred to see Aer Lingus maintain Heathrow services from Shannon.

He also said there was no question of Aer Lingus selling its Heathrow slots to another airline.

(c) 2007 Belfast Telegraph. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.