Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to revert to Ms Burke's commentary on how things stand now. I suppose we could go back seven or eight years to how this thing started in the first instance and how we were left with a 25.1% rather than 100% share, but we are where we are.

As regards IBEC's position on this, has Ms Burke asked her membership in Limerick - which I represent, including Castletroy, Raheen, Newcastle West and all over County Limerick - if selling the 25.1% share in Aer Lingus is in their best interests? The last time we went down this road, when the first 74.9% was sold, we saw the slots being removed from Shannon Airport and put into Belfast with great aplomb.

It was the only measure from the South the then First Minister in Northern Ireland, the late Dr. Ian Paisley, welcomed.

What engagement has IBEC had with its member companies in the Limerick region? I know from speaking to them that they are not saying what Ms Burke is saying.