Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Given that the Cabinet sub-committee on Aer Lingus has not met during 2005 and that the Cabinet made the decision on Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport a fortnight ago, what function does the Cabinet sub-committee on Aer Lingus perform? What relevance does it have? Does the Taoiseach envisage it having a role in the future? Will it have a function in implementing the Cabinet decision to sell the State's majority shareholding in Aer Lingus? Will its deliberations be brought before the Cabinet and, whatever decision is arrived at and by whatever vehicle, will they be brought before the House before being processed? Did the plan for Aer Lingus and Dublin Airport emanate from the Cabinet sub-committee on Aer Lingus? Did the sub-committee have any deliberations on this matter, either at its December 2004 meeting or at earlier meetings? Is it the case, as the Taoiseach's response suggests, that it has no relevance to the issue and its central raison d'être?

See this speech in context