Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——will continue to serve us well. Swissair is no longer in a position to serve Switzerland well. Sabena is no longer in a position to serve Belgium well. We allowed ourselves to be blinkered in our approach and we did not see what was happening in the market. If we do not take cognisance of the market, we will put at risk the great contribution that has been made thus far and we will deprive workers of jobs. Those workers are as good at their job in the company as any other that I know, and I flew with quite a few airlines in my role as Minister for Foreign Affairs. We can give the direction for people to work together co-operatively. We must avoid phoney confrontations and focus on the business of building an airline and airports, increasing tourism, creating jobs and making sure that people see that these were the correct choices made after robust analysis and careful consideration, and after ensuring a co-operative approach all round.

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"—notes the Government's commitment to ensuring that Aer Lingus continues to make a significant and valuable contribution to the economic and tourism development of the country;

—recognises the significant contribution made by the board, management and staff in the continuing turnaround in Aer Lingus' finances;

—notes that Aer Lingus can only continue to make this contribution if it can compete successfully on a level playing field, operate profitably and has access to a variety of funding sources to facilitate growth and provide financial security;

—recognises that decisions on investment by the national pensions reserve fund are solely matters for that board having regard to their statutory remit;

—welcomes the Government's recent decision in principle for the sale of a majority shareholding in Aer Lingus to provide the funds needed by the company;

—welcomes the Government decision to maintain a significant minority stake in the airline to protect the State's key strategic interests;

—notes that Government also decided to appoint advisors to advise on the size, type and timing of the Aer Lingus sale transaction;

—welcomes the Government's strategic approach which gives Irish aviation a clear direction for the future and an unambiguous mandate for growth;

—notes that these decisions are part of a comprehensive plan which will allow for the long-term success and growth of Irish aviation, the result of which will be a stronger aviation sector and a better future for the economy, customers and staff;

—notes that the Minister for Transport will progress the restructuring of the State airports and further notes that the national network of State and regional airports is contributing to a thriving aviation sector for the benefit of trade, business and tourism development; and

—notes that the agreement between the Government and the ICTU, which formed part of last year's mid-term review of Sustaining Progress, will be reflected appropriately in the arrangements for the tender competition to select the operator of the second terminal at Dublin Airport."

See this speech in context