Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputies who have contributed to this debate and to the passage of the Bill through the House, in particular Deputies Shortall and Olivia Mitchell who have taken such an interest in it. I thank them and other Deputies who have contributed for their support and understanding and for their acceptance of amendments concerning the employee share ownership scheme for Aer Lingus and the appeals process regarding decisions of the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

After the House formally agrees this Bill, it will return to the Seanad with the amendments approved by the House.

Enactment of the Bill will allow Ireland to ratify the revised Eurocontrol convention which will provide for the necessary institutional reforms required to achieve a uniform European air traffic management system for the control of general air traffic in European airspace and airports. This revised convention seeks to provide for a more effective air traffic management institutional policy and decision-making structure for Europe, with the overall objective of increasing airspace capacity and reducing air traffic control delays.

Cuirim mo bhuíochas in iúl do na Teachtaí as ucht an chomhoibrithe eadrainn i rith na Dara agus Tríú Céime den Bhille. Tá súil agam go mbeidh an Bille fíorthábhachtach seo tríd an Oireachtas tar éis na seachtaine seo chugainn.

See this speech in context