Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)

This privatisation will only work for the benefit of a few. The general travelling public and Aer Lingus workers will undoubtedly lose out. The country and the taxpayers who have invested in the company over the years will also lose out. Aer Lingus is the property of the Irish people and it should remain so. It is a profitable State asset, not a liability. It was valued this week at €1.1 billion. Aer Lingus is not a burden on the State and it can continue to make money for the people. Despite the negative media and Government spin, the future of Aer Lingus should not be bleak. It has a lower cost base than many of its competitors and made an operating profit last year of more than €70 million. It has continued to open up new routes and increase passenger numbers. It has an exceptional workforce who care dearly about their company and its future.

As an Irish republican, I believe that companies such as Aer Lingus should remain in public ownership and be administered effectively in the interests of the people. It should be used for the benefit of the people, not sold off to a few investors whose main interest will be profit and who may well ride roughshod over the rights of the workers. Unknown to themselves, taxpayers have already invested €27 million in airlines all over the globe, including British Airways and Ryanair, yet the current Government refuses to invest in Aer Lingus. The decision to sell off Aer Lingus is a political and not an economic decision. No concrete plans exist on how the pensions shortfall of more than €250 million will be resolved. This will affect the current workforce of 3,600 and the 8,000 retired employees.

This is an island nation and our economy depends on the national airline. How will our goods be delivered to their markets? Irish Shipping was sold off and it is now proposed to sell off the national carrier. Nobody should be fooled. This Government is pushing the privatised agenda to enrich their high flying friends at the expense of the common good. It is a sell-off but it is also a sell-out of workers and Irish taxpayers.

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