Jim Glennon (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I will be relatively brief and try to focus on the issues at hand. Aer Lingus is obviously an issue which gives rise to much passion on all sides. It is a company which, since its foundation 70 years ago, has held a special place in the hearts of all Irish people. I say so, not in the usual clichéd way but genuinely. Aer Lingus means different things to different people.

As someone born and reared in north County Dublin like generations of my family before me, I have strong memories of the development of Dublin Airport on the back of Aer Lingus.

See this speech in context