Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Last night my colleague, the Minister for Finance, set out in detail the rationale for the Government's recent decisions on key aviation issues. In agreeing the aviation action plan, the Government has given a clear strategic direction and a mandate for growth to both Aer Lingus and the Dublin Airport Authority. Since becoming Minister for Transport, my focus has been on making the correct long-term decisions. What we need are expansion rather than crisis plans. The aviation action plan is the right strategy. It is not in the interests of the aviation sector, the economy or airline staff that we continue as we have in the past. We must be proactive rather than reactive.

Aer Lingus is vitally important, given its history and the nature and volatility of the aviation sector. The recent decision on Aer Lingus will allow the airline to plan for the future in the knowledge that it will have the necessary funds available to purchase aircraft and to provide financial stability.

See this speech in context