A delegation of TDs from the mid-west, including four Fianna Fáil backbenchers, have met Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey to discuss Aer Lingus' decision to end its Shannon-Heathrow service.
Peter Power, Timmy Dooley, Niall Collins and John Cregan and a number of other TDs from the region sought the meeting to discuss the Government response to the issue.
They say they are confident all that can be done to restore Heathrow services to the airport is being done by the Government.
Meanwhile, the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance has had what it described as an open and frank meeting with Minister Dempsey.
The Alliance has called on the Minister to request Aer Lingus to hold an EGM to discuss the withdrawal of services from Shannon.
A spokesperson for Minister Dempsey has said today's meeting with the Atlantic Connectivity Alliance was very positive.
The spokesperson said the Minister will reflect carefully on the issues raised at the meeting.
The group, which was set up to campaign for the link to Heathrow, had accused the Government of protecting Aer Lingus rather than addressing the loss of the Heathrow-Shannon route.
The Alliance had said it is dismayed that the Government is not using the mechanisms in place to protect the Shannon-Heathrow service and thousands of jobs in the region.
Pilot negotiations adjourned
A meeting between senior management at Aer Lingus and pilots' representatives has ended and will resume on Friday.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said the company would not release the terms and conditions today for the proposed employment of pilots at its new Belfast hub.
Aer Lingus could face a renewed threat of industrial action if talks between both sides break down.
Last week, the Labour Relations Commission proposed that high-level delegations from management and unions should meet face to face to try and sort out their differences.
Two weeks ago Aer Lingus pilots called off a threatened strike, which centred on the airline's plans to recruit staff at the new Belfast base on lower terms and conditions.
Aer Lingus said it has received 1,100 applications for the 100 jobs at Belfast Airport and needs to start active recruitment to have those staff in place when the new base starts operating on 10 December.
