Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I reject outright what Deputy Kenny said. This has probably been Aer Lingus's best ever year. Following its reform programme, its profits this year will be extraordinarily good. We have been working to try and assist Aer Lingus through the aviation difficulties in which it found itself, with the trade union movement and management, including the chief executive, chief operations officer and chief financial officer, and we have been successful in that regard. I accept it is a difficult climate for the aviation industry. The company had to reduce its staff and cost base, open new routes and make fundamental changes to its structures. The company received the approval and support of Government for all of those things and it has achieved an excellent profit.

Deputy Kenny is correct to state that three senior executives are leaving but it was not due to a lack of decision. When Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte asked me in this House about the MBO I said I was not in favour of it. I said I did not think it was good for the health of Aer Lingus. I did not think three members of senior management should be in a position to become wealthy overnight from a State company. I said that, but I did not say it to offend them or so that they would walk away. They came afterwards and said they would not have done it that way and they did not mean to say that. That does not matter. I was opposed to it and if it were today I would be opposed to it as well. Aer Lingus is a State company with a large staff. This is an island where we need to think carefully about our aviation policy.

See this speech in context