Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

That money will not be put into buying planes, nor does the Minister intend to fulfil his commitment to the pensioners. We are an island nation yet we are selling our airline. When New Zealand sold its airline it had to buy it back because it could not flourish as a private company. We have the example of Eircom also yet the Government is gung ho on selling off this asset. It makes no economic sense and it makes no regional sense from the point of view of my area. It is interesting that so few Government representatives have come into the House to speak on the motion and defend their regions. It appears only the Opposition Members, particularly those from the Shannon region, with the exception of Deputy Power, have any interest in the Shannon region. There is no doubt that Aer Lingus in State ownership is a crucial factor for Shannon, as it is for the entire country, but I am concerned for Shannon in particular.

I agree with both Deputies Breen who spoke earlier that Aer Lingus has not shown much concern for Shannon and does not even have a manager in Shannon. At the same time, the fact it is a national airline means it must have national interests at heart and give some service to Shannon, as it has done in recent years. When it is no longer a national airline, however, it will not have any obligation. We know there is no guarantee the so-called golden share the State is supposed to be retaining will last in perpetuity and, as Deputy Lynch said, the carpetbaggers will have their way. That is what we face with a national airline that we have been so proud of, that turned around its economic position and that is profitable. There is no need to sell it off. The case for not selling it was well made by my colleague, Deputy Shortall, but on the last day of the Dáil session we are providing for it to be sold. That is very sad.

The strategic and regional interests of Shannon Airport are crucial to our half of the country. This provision to allow a sell off is just one element of what the Government is doing; the open skies deal is another but I do not have time to develop that point.

See this speech in context