Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I hardly think the Taoiseach's reply amounts to a categoric rejection of any proposal to countenance a managerial take-over or any other privatisation of the national airline. He perpetuates the concerns, not only of the workforce but of broad opinion on this issue across the country. Is the Taoiseach aware that in its last major redundancy offer Aer Lingus medical staff in the axed medical centre were offered relocation as baggage handlers within the Aer Lingus workforce? What is being offered to the 1,300 people who now face threat? Does he regard that as an offer that would keep them still in the voluntary bracket? Nobody else would.

Is the Taoiseach aware that there is great concern among the existing and the pensioned workforce of Aer Lingus about management's efforts to undermine the detail and terms of the pension entitlements and rights of workers in the airline? The Pensions Board deemed this exercise totally unacceptable. Will the Taoiseach at least be specific in addressing the retired and the present workforce in guaranteeing that he and the Government, particularly the new Minister for Transport, will ensure that there will be no tinkering with the pension rights and entitlements of existing or former employees at Aer Lingus? He should at least give them that comfort.

See this speech in context