Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

I wish to ask two questions, the first of which relates to reports in today's newspapers to the effect that the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment has been informed there could be up to 1,000 compulsory redundancies in Aer Lingus. Will the Taoiseach instruct the directors appointed by the Government to the board of Aer Lingus to ensure that the national interest will be protected at all times? If these compulsory redundancies proceed, they will devastate the company and the services operating from Dublin, Cork and other airports.

In the context of the criminal justice (public order)(amendment) Bill, a constituent of mine, the Ceann Comhairle and the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform was recently imprisoned for not possessing a dog licence. That is an appallingly Dickensian punishment to visit on a person.

See this speech in context