James Breen (Clare, Independent)

I am totally opposed to any attempts by the Government to sell off the majority share of the national airline to private buyers. I reject this sale on a number of important points, namely, the betrayal of the loyalty of the Aer Lingus staff who turned the company around, the detrimental effect this sale will have on local rural economies, and the ever increasing evidence of this Government's attitude of putting short-term monetary gain above the rights and needs of our citizens.

The staff of Aer Lingus have contributed enormously to the success of the company and through their dedication and suffering have turned the company from a loss-making entity to a profitable going concern since 2001. How does the Government propose to thank them? Privatisation of the national airline will result in job losses in all three main airports with Shannon Airport likely to be worst affected. As a reward for their hard work in making a success of the company, staff will lose their jobs. There is no justice in this.

Many of the Aer Lingus staff at Shannon Airport have worked for the company all their lives. They have put down roots in the area and are dependent on Aer Lingus to secure an income with which to raise their families. Job losses affect not only the number of individuals shown on the company's annual accounts but their families and entire rural communities. It is not simply Aer Lingus workers who will lose out but also all those ancillary workers who depend on the success of the local economy for their living. Job losses at Shannon Airport affect not only the airline workers but everybody in the Clare-Limerick area.

I call on the Government to retain the State's majority holding in Aer Lingus for the people and to protect the rights of workers in the company so their contribution to the economy and their patriotism can be properly recognised. If the Government continues with its foolish sale of our majority holding, it will betray those dependent on the airline. In this way, the Government will deal yet another severe blow to the local economy of rural communities and will create unnecessary hardship for many families.

I call on all elected representatives in the Clare-Limerick and mid-west regions to reject the Government's proposed sale of one of our most valuable assets. I urge them to stand up and be counted and to represent the views and protect the rights of those people who elected them. We owe it to our constituents to stand up for their rights and to recognise the contribution they make to the lives of people in their own communities. It would be a betrayal of the loyalty of the Aer Lingus workers to allow this sale to go ahead.

I put down a question to the Minister for Transport today on the bilateral agreement at Shannon Airport. He responded that it was a matter for Aer Lingus to honour that agreement and that the Government has no say in the matter. If the Minister were a surgeon he would spread no disease because he has washed his hands of this issue. Why did he not answer the question? Aer Lingus is in breach of the bilateral agreement but the Minister tells me he has no role.

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