Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Does the Minister accept that the break-up of Aer Rianta is not quite as simple as his predecessor suggested and we are a long way from disentangling that company? I am sure he is grateful to him for the legacy he has left him.

On the Great Southern hotels chain, does the Minister accept that clarity is needed for the staff of the hotels, given the role they have played in the tourism industry and that it has been a flagship company which has made a significant contribution to raising standards and providing very high quality training opportunities for staff in the industry? Does he agree that the staff need some clarity in respect of their future? Last month the chairman of the airport authority indicated clearly that it was his intention to dispose of the hotels, yet the Minister is giving staff reassurances that this will not happen and, as long as the Government is in power, the chain will remain in public ownership. These are two diametrically opposed positions.

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