The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that it may not be possible to secure a carrier to reopen the Shannon to Heathrow route.
Answering questions from the Opposition, Bertie Ahern said the loss of the service was disappointing and that while the Government would not give up on efforts to find a replacement for Aer Lingus there is no airline waiting to operate the service.
Labour Party Leader Eamon Gilmore said the Government had obviously accepted that the Shannon to Heathrow route was now dead and had abandoned the strategic interest it represented for the region and the country.
Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny said that the Government had been blindsided by the Aer Lingus decision.
Mr Kenny said he did not believe the decision had been taken without the tacit approval of ministers.
