Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Will the Tánaiste comment on the situation we face next week with the serious challenge to the future of Aer Lingus? Is he happy that existing industrial machinery has the capacity to deal with this potentially very serious conflict?

I understand the Government intends to move ahead next week with the Tribunal of Inquiry Bill 2005. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle will recall that when he spoke from the benches last year he urged the Government not to move ahead with this Bill while the Mahon tribunal sat. I regard this move as being quite sinister. The Taoiseach has already had four days before the Mahon tribunal and is due to appear again for another four days before Christmas. Obviously, a majority of people do not believe his explanations for large cash lodgments to his account. In that sense I regard the moving of this tribunal Bill, with a possibility of it being able to close down a tribunal, as quite sinister.

There is a danger that this will be seen as intimidating a tribunal looking into the Taoiseach's personal finances. In fact, the legislation was deferred last year so that the tribunal could continue without that threat hanging over it. If it was relevant then, it is even more relevant now. I wonder is it just coincidence or the lack of legislation that five days after the Taoiseach started giving his evidence this Bill was reactivated. The Tánaiste is heading into a hell of a row here.

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