Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I do not know whether I can add much. However, Aer Lingus has done well in very difficult circumstances this year and the agreement reached with the trade unions and workers will help it to do even better, into the future.

I do not agree with knocking Ryanair, however. Ryanair employs a good many Irish people as well. It is a very successful Irish company, and we should bear that in mind, whatever our views might be as regards the current offer, or anything else. There are sufficient people across Europe knocking the airline, who are competitors of Ryanair, and would like to see it going out of business, without us starting to do so in this House. It employs a good many Irish people and while I would not share Mr. O'Leary's attitude to trade unions, people who work in the airline are, by and large, well paid. That should be kept in perspective.

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