Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the presentations from persons centrally involved in the day-to-day operations of the company. My question is simple. Other than providing the Government with a cash windfall to fight the next election, can the delegates see any reason the State should sell its interest in Aer Lingus? The company is profitable, does not require additional cash and has been in a growth cycle since its privatisation. Last year it routed 1 million passengers from the north of England through Dublin Airport and onwards to the United States at a time when Heathrow Airport was becoming even more congested, with the prospect of providing a third runway a long way down the road. There are real opportunities for Aer Lingus in its niche market.

Will the delegates discuss the notion that seems to be gaining traction, namely, that a small, independent airline such as Aer Lingus would be gobbled up by the competition? What strength does it have in its niche market? It has done well and dealt with competition from some of the most aggressive airlines in the world, holding its own to grow and become profitable. Will the delegates debunk these myths?