The problem is not so much the class of airspace, but what it entails and how it is managed.
For example, in Ireland all flights in Class C airspace (including transits) require a flight plan. Not an an abbreviated radio call like the UK, but a paper flight plan, which must be either phoned or faxed to AIS in Shannon. This must be done at least 1 hour before takeoff. 50 minutes won't work, it needs to be an hour. (Sometimes a full flight plan will be taken over the radio, but this is the exception rather than the rule.)
Class C also means all aircraft must have a Mode C transponder.
The R15, is commonly used for aircraft making the scenic flight to the Blessington Lakes.
Weston's new owners see their future with Biz Jets. In my view the class C is simply a way of being able to gradually both deny light aircraft access to Weston and to sterilise the airspace around it. I think the document makes that pretty clear too.
I've seen elsewhere that someone said that light aircraft happily operate from Dublin Airport. I happen to be a member of one of those club operating from Dublin Airport. Most of this airspace is devoid of aircraft, is is just a big empty chunk of airspace. If Weston goes the same way as Dublin, then within a few short years, we will see our capitals skies sterilised of all light aircraft.
As for the Ryder Cup, as I understand it Weston will be closed to light aircraft then anyway. I'm sure we can all understand that. I'd also have no problem with a temporary class A airspace in the area for the duration.
Ronnie,
You are quite correct in saying that we don't currently have any Class E airspace. So what? Nothing to say we can't make some. It seems to me that this is the perfect answer to the problem. Weston is concerned about protecting their biz jet traffic (IFR), and wish to have an instrument approach.
Having an air traffic controller with a radar screen able to control and separate IFR traffic, and control ALL traffic within Weston's ATZ, and all traffic to the North and East of Weston (Dublin CTR) and all traffic about 1500ft (Dublin CTA) would seem to achieve the same solution, without the drawbacks of the Class C.
Instrument approaches are useless for the majority of light aircraft in Ireland. We have no IMC rating, so if we want to use an instrument approach, then we must do a full JAA IR course. For most this is simply out of their reach.
While I don't blame Weston for trying to grab this airspace to make money, after all they are a commercial enterprise and will seek to make a profit anyway they can, it would appear to me that a limited natural resource (our airspace) is going to be denied to the citizens of this country, in order to facilitate biz jets, the majority of which are not Irish Residents, simply so Weston can make a bigger profit. The IAA should be making a more thorough examination of different solutions.
There are better solutions.
dp