Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I join colleagues in expressing my sincerest sympathy to the bereaved family following the Clara school bus tragedy this morning and to the teaching staff and fellow pupils of the young boy who lost his life. I also extend good wishes for a full recovery to all the injured students involved in that accident. It is appropriate that all of us, not just those in this House, who can make a contribution, should renew their commitment to work together to avoid such tragedies where at all possible in the future.

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about a matter of national importance. Was a decision taken at this morning's Cabinet meeting to proceed with the privatisation of Aer Lingus, our national airline, by floating it on the Stock Exchange? Is the Taoiseach at all aware of concern not only among current and former Aer Lingus staff but among the wider community at the prospect of selling off a strategic interest, our national airline? Is the Taoiseach aware that many local authorities, including his own, Dublin City Council — and Cork and Limerick city councils — have all passed resolutions opposing the proposition to proceed with the privatisation of Aer Lingus? That is indicative of the extent of the wider public concern, with support from across the political spectrum. The Taoiseach is aware that SIPTU members have overwhelmingly voted to serve protective notice in the event of the proposal to sell off the national airline without agreement on key issues such as job security and pensions. I am sure the Taoiseach has noted that union remains firmly opposed to the proposal to privatise Aer Lingus, both in terms of its strategic position within the overall economic interests of the country, and its future.

The ICTU has asked the Government to revisit its refusal to invest in the national airline and to acknowledge that investment in a profitable State company is not debarred by EU law. The Government was also asked to address the ICTU proposal for a State holding company for all State enterprises. This proposal deserves serious consideration. Will the Taoiseach revisit the proposition put forward by the ICTU, which has wide support, and hold off on any further decision on Aer Lingus, irrespective of what decision the Cabinet has made this morning, until the Taoiseach has seriously considered the alternatives which others have presented?

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