Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I wish to share time with Deputy Deenihan.

Ireland and Aer Lingus have come a long way since 1936 when the Government decided to establish a national airline. The company instilled pride and confidence in a fledgling State which, as with most new democracies, had to stumble before it walked. For many years, the only visible international symbol of Ireland was the famous shamrock on the company's airplanes as millions of people were transported to and from the State. Most people like to think that Aer Lingus will maintain a connection with the public, irrespective of what happens when the company is partly privatised.

As Deputy Olivia Mitchell outlined, because it will be difficult for the company to attract investment in future years and for the Government to make the necessary investment, we can only hope that the Minister's proposal pays off. I salute the men and women who kept the company going down through the years. Great pain was experienced during the various redundancy schemes but I hope the Minister will protect the pensions people believe they are entitled to as of right. Can he ensure the pensions will be guaranteed following the flotation?

Many issues arise. Deputy Olivia Mitchell referred to the validity of the motion and I hope the Minister will clarify the legal position. The Deputy has put in a great deal of effort into researching the procedures and the Minister would do her a great disservice if the procedures he is following were wrong. There has been enough messing over Aer Lingus over the past ten years and it would be nothing short of a disaster if the Minister started out on the wrong road on the first day of the flotation procedure.

Like other Members, I would like the Minister to guarantee the slots at Heathrow Airport. He cannot do so but they are critically important for the future. The people have a connection with Aer Lingus and they would like the aircraft to be based in Ireland. The flotation could lead to the company setting up a hub on the Continent, with Dublin being used as a remote location. I hope that does not happen. The flotation of Air Berlin a couple of months ago caused many headaches. I can only hope the Minister has his homework done on this issue. It took him and his predecessors a long time to do it and had the long unnecessary five-year delay in taking action on Aer Lingus not happened we would now be in a different position.

I ask the Minister not to turn Shannon Airport into a helicopter pad. We will not accept that from a regional development point of view. If I had enough time I would spend an hour on that subject. It would not look good and we will not allow the Minister or Aer Lingus to do it.

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