Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The hallmark of this Government appears to be paralysis, incompetence and lack of responsibility. Every day that passes, it becomes more apparent that the Cabinet has an inability to make decisions and to accept responsibility for decisions. Nobody has accepted responsibility for the nursing homes debacle with a price tag of €2 billion. Nobody accepted responsibility for spending €60 million of public money on electronic voting. Nobody accepted responsibility for road cost overruns that now reach €4 billion.

On the issue of the future of the national airline, Aer Lingus, and the question of a second terminal, the Government appears to be in a state of total paralysis. One former Minister with responsibility for this area, Senator O'Rourke, recognised the need for more capacity as far back as 1999. An Agreed Programme for Government promised a second terminal. Another former Minister, Deputy Brennan, promised a decision would be taken in early 2003. We have listened ad nauseam to the current Minister, Deputy Cullen, saying a decision will be taken shortly. No decision has been taken about access to capital for Aer Lingus. This is the situation day after day. The Taoiseach commented on his very good working relationship with the Tánaiste. While this may well be so, the Minister for Transport and the Tánaiste obviously disagree in public about issues coming before the Cabinet.

The Taoiseach uses another section of Dublin Airport when he is travelling on official business. He will be aware that up to 18 million passengers will shuffle their way through the airport this year. The House is now informed the solution will be terminal three. Will the Taoiseach for once state that the Cabinet will make the decision, stand by it and get on with it?

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