Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their presentations. The word "connectivity" looks to be the big player in this debate. We spoke earlier about highs and lows, recessions and airlines going through bad times. Aer Lingus has come through the biggest recession this country has ever had, and has come through it well. We have made mistakes in the past. That is why we need to debate the issue and to make clear decisions. We have made mistakes as a country and cut off our nose to spite our face. Having listened to the people from Cork and Shannon speak, we must be clear where we are going for the benefit of the country. Let no one be codded. If I buy something I could say I would do this, that or the other but later I will do what I like because it is my company. No one can say that someone else will tell them what to do, because that will not happen. That is being frank about it. One can have all the aspirations and dreams and say this, that and the other will be put into the contract but if it does not stand up legally, which it will not, there is no point in saying it will. People are being sold a pup if they believe things like that. Let us be clear. If a person buys an airline or other business, someone will not tell the owner what he or she will do with it in nine or ten years time. Either one is the boss or one is not. It is one or the other.

One must look at how the regional airports are getting on at the moment. To make matters worse, when the pilots spoke to us earlier they spoke about €500 million in the bank, €650 million in assets and €450 million in landing slots. One does not generally sell something for a couple of hundred million below what it is worth. Generally, one tries to make a few pounds extra on something. In addition, it will not be beneficial to the country. Under EU law we cannot use the money to create employment as it must go to Angela Merkel for debt repayment. We must be clear and make decisions for the benefit of Dublin, Limerick and Cork and for the betterment of the country. I am a firm believer that at the moment we would be better to hold on to Aer Lingus.