Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte's short-term and long-term memory are not good this morning. As I said earlier, June was never put forward as a date. The Government would be totally irresponsible to go to the market without the advice of our financial experts in this area. We will go to the market when the time is right based on the advice we get. It is still the view it can happen this year.

I am surprised Deputy Rabbitte is taking up a position that was opposed by every trade unionist in Aer Lingus, when management wanted to steal the assets for themselves through a management buy out, shafting staff interests. Deputy Rabbitte is now defending that position.

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