Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)

As an island nation, the implications in respect of this company are national and are not limited to north Dublin. A cohort of people are highly skilled in the aeronautical and aviation industries. Does my earlier suggestion make good sense? Rather than paying 900 or 1,000 people, which will cost the guts of €20 million in social welfare payments and forgone income tax, would it not be as well to consider the proposals? I appreciate they must be evaluated in respect of viability. Workers also should get their due entitlement but that is a matter to be worked through with workers and their trade unions. They could ascertain whether another issue exists in respect of reinvestment. As this will cost €20 million in social welfare payments anyway, why not invest it to keep at work those who have the necessary skills and entrepreneurial spirit to ensure they survive?

Second, approximately 70 or 80 third and fourth year apprentices work there. Has a lesson been learned from developments at SR Technics to the effect that when a problem arises regarding job placement work, we now will ensure the institutes of technology are capable of bringing forward their third and fourth year theory components? One should ensure that apprentices do not lose out and such components should be brought forward to develop their educational acumen and skills. This should be done as I believe FÁS has done so.

Third, does Aer Lingus now regret its decision to withdraw the contract from SR Technics? Perhaps it does.

See this speech in context