Peter Power (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

To ignore that fact is to ignore the reality of the way an aviation company works.

I welcome the plans to expand routes both eastwards and westwards. I compliment everybody involved in doing so. In Dermot Mannion we have a chief executive who recognises the realities of world aviation. He is the person to bring Aer Lingus forward in the new market.

Deputy Broughan spoke passionately of his bitter opposition to this. Deputy Shortall expressed her opposition at the Joint Committee on Transport. On the other hand, Deputy Olivia Mitchell generally subscribed to the idea of the Government's proposal.

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