The concept is excellent. However, in order to establish a long term aviation strategy the government will need to park their political agendas. Government policy is currently focused on voters in North County Dublin most of whom are directly or indirectly linked to Dublin Airport. To date the government have failed to engage successfully with the former Aer Rianta or Aer Lingus without major fallout. There is no doubt that airport infrastrure in Ireland is below international standards and this is because forward planning means 5 - 10 years. This also applies to surface transport. So, by the time any given project is completed it is inadequate. This forum needs to carry weight, it needs to have two wings (sic) one group initially heading up the economic requirements versus the capital and also the regions, tying into surface transport and the other focusing on capital development all looking 50 - 100 years forward. The longer it goes on the harder it will be to bring major infrastructural projects to completion. Knowing the country's track record I can't see it happening. Would be great to be proved wrong! Finally, in agreement with previous postings, strategic international new route development needs to be supported at govt level, not by DAT management, who still carry Aer Rianta baggage and in my view are inhibiting proper growth. It is so easy to sell Ireland, but they have failed to sell it strategically>