Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

On behalf of the Labour Party, I have heard from both sides and I have read the Coinside Limited offer document. I have also heard from Aer Lingus. I agree with Mr. Conor McCarthy. I think this is an ego trip and a complete distraction by the chief executive of Ryanair. On competition and connectivity grounds, but above all on behalf of the Irish travelling public, I believe the offer should be rejected out of hand and Aer Lingus should stay as a totally independent airline. That is where my party stands. Tomorrow we will have an opportunity to question again representatives of the two airlines in public.

The Minister outlined the Government's aviation policy. Does it encompass a two major airline policy? In other words, are we in favour of two major airlines connecting this island nation to the United Kingdom and to Europe?

I understand the three Government-appointed directors to the board of Aer Lingus are Mr. Hackett, Mr. Wall and Dr. Hunt. Has the Minister been in contact with them in any way? Has he spoken to them and will they fulfil the objectives of the national aviation policy? Has the Cabinet discussed the matter? Has the Minister spoken to any of the other large shareholders, such as, for example, Bank of Ireland, which I understand owns 4% of Aer Lingus, Mr. Denis O'Brien and, above all, the ESOT itself and Aer Lingus?

Will the Minister comment briefly on the competition issue? Is it not a fact that if the takeover were to be achieved, the number of routes out of Ireland would increase by approximately 20% or 25% immediately, that it would increase in terms of being a single airline route and there would be much less competition? Is it not the case that this would be a major blow, that we would have a dominant, monolith airline with 75% or 80% of traffic?

In terms of connectivity, regarding the slots in Heathrow, for example, and Shannon, is it possible for the kind of guarantees Mr. O'Leary has said he would give to be incorporated into any takeover agreement, given the comments of the Stock Exchange on a number of offers?

Most Members would agree that Ryanair has a dismal record — sometimes an appalling record — in regard to the conditions and salaries of workers who work for the company on this island and in other parts of Europe. Does the Minister have concerns about the future treatment of the workforce of any merged airline?

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