Fiona O'Malley (Dún Laoghaire, Progressive Democrats)

Are the public and consumers somehow to believe that Fine Gael will take the right decisions for them — on those occasions when they will take a decision on an issue? Deputy Hogan well knows that the Restrictive Practices (Groceries) Order 1987 has become a major embarrassment for Fine Gael. It demonstrates the paralysis that has beset that party, which is trying to keep everyone on side because it is seeking office.

Whatever the truth regarding Fine Gael, the Labour Party is certainly no friend of the consumer. The Acting Chairman will not like this. Its rusty, Stalinist economic policies are just the ticket to stifle competition and hurt consumers. The Irish aviation sector, a classic competition success story, particularly upsets Labour. If Aer Lingus is to compete successfully, it needs money to renew the fleet, a well-established fact. The Government has allowed for that by selling shares to raise the capital needed. The Labour Party has held to its archaic position of State ownership. Given that the new aircraft required would cost over €100 million each, it would be fascinating to hear how the Labour Party, in government, could justify spending €1.2 billion of taxpayers' money buying aeroplanes.

The Labour Party constantly criticises Ryanair, Europe's biggest airline and an extraordinary Irish success story. Ryanair is an example of how competition can transform markets, reduce prices and serve the consumer——

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