16.08.07 -
Shannon controversy highlights failure of privatisation
The controversy over
the decision by Aer Lingus to cease flights to Heathrow out of Shannon
airport highlights the need to keep Ireland’s strategic infrastructure
in public hands, according to Sinn Féin councillor Jonathan O’Brien.
“What we see happening at Shannon today could face us in Cork tomorrow,
if Aer Lingus felt it could operate more profitably in another
location. The decision is a natural consequence of the privatisation of
Aer Lingus by the government. As a private company, the board of Aer
Lingus have a legal duty to their shareholders to maximise profits.
They will move their operations to wherever they feel they can best
achieve this. They do not feel any duty to Ireland, Shannon, Cork, or
anywhere else.”
“The parade of Fianna Fáil backbenchers emerging to demand the reversal
of this decision are guilty of breath-taking hypocrisy. They were happy
to support the privatisation of Aer Lingus, but when it acts as a
private company they demand the state step in to alter its decision.”
“The issue here is not one of North versus South, or the West versus
the rest. It is about the consequences of the state’s privatisation
agenda which sees decisions about key infrastructural projects,
affecting jobs and livelihoods, being made on the basis of corporate
greed rather than social need.”
“Aer Lingus should reverse its decision. But the buck stops with the
government which privatised the airline. The lesson of this controversy
is that key pieces of infrastructure that are essential to national
prosperity and development need to be kept firmly in public hands.”
