Jim Glennon (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

I will proceed with my contribution. Job security is another issue of major concern to employees. The simplest way to guarantee jobs and, hopefully, create jobs on the long haul and transatlantic routes is to procure the necessary funding to enable the company to move forward. The new business generated by long haul routes should result in additional jobs and such expansion will be funded by the flotation.

The stock required to generate the funds required for the expansion should not be at the levels mentioned earlier. The Government has the power to sell up to 60% of the stock but I hope sufficient funds can be generated from the sale of a lower volume of stock to implement the ambitious business plan of Aer Lingus management. It is important not only that the 25% share is retained, which is fundamental to the entire transaction, but that a sufficient cushion is provided for options in the future.

Deputies James Breen, Pat Breen and Peter Power made passionate contributions about Shannon Airport. Passion has never been monopolised on the football fields by one province or county. People have a different way of expressing their passion for particular institutions. The people of Clare and the mid-west are passionate about Shannon Airport but the airport's survival is not dependent on the development of Dublin Airport. Since the abolition of the Shannon stopover, Dublin Airport has experienced what it was missing during the years Shannon Airport was protected. Shannon Airport should stand on its own two feet and go for it in the same way as Dublin Airport.

See this speech in context