Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Brennan and Conway called for the chief executive of Ryanair to be invited to address the House, a matter which will be brought to the Committee On procedure and Privileges.

Senators Norris, Mooney and O'Brien referred to the hate mail sent to the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter. This must be condemned by all. I thank the Senators for raising that matter. It is despicable that we have such people who would send hate mail. Senator Norris had called for the resignation of the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter previously but I fully respect that he said that Deputy Shatter had remarkable qualities as a reforming Minister.

Senator Paul Coghlan suggested that the taxpayers cannot always be asked to foot the Bill for non-performaing railway lines or other infrastructure, but I am sure a cost benefit analysis will be done on any railway line before closure is contemplated. Senator Eamon Coghlan also outlined that the Government needs to continue to focus on jobs and the economy, which the Government has been doing for the past number of years. This is beginning to bear fruit with the upturn in the economy.

Senator Conway welcomed the fact that Ryanair is driving tourism to Ireland and with the opening of new routes it is expected that an additional 1.4 million passengers will visit Ireland.

In response to Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, I will not get into a debate on the location of the children's hospital; it has been decided and it will proceed. We have had many reports on the site and I think most if not all people - except some who may have vested interests - want the hospital to proceed.