Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

There will be another question on investment in Aer Lingus and I suggest that we wait until it is asked. We want to move quickly to secure investment for Aer Lingus because this is important for the new fleet. Three criteria are always required when a public or private company goes to the market: that the market is in a good position, that the sector is healthy and that the company is in a good situation. My expectation is that all three criteria will be fulfilled next year.

I do not accept Deputy Olivia Mitchell's assertion that the value of the company has decreased substantially as a result of Government inaction. If we had been obliged to privatise the company three years ago, the value would have been much less. Good work has been done by management and unions over the past few years compared to other national airlines, many of which have closed and more of which will do so. Aer Lingus is probably the most successful of the traditional national carriers in the way it has turned its business around.

I am confident about the future of Aer Lingus, its staff and the potential customers in Ireland who would like to fly to destinations in the United States. A number of destinations in the United States are interested in having direct flights to Ireland with Aer Lingus. All of this is made possible through open skies. The conclusion of an EU-US open skies agreement enhances the value and attraction of Aer Lingus.

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