Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I am concerned about securing 300 high-tech jobs and not about political egos. It is not true to say that the Tánaiste determined that every effort should be made to secure these jobs because she laughed at the prospect of meeting Michael O'Leary. Do not fob this off to Barry O'Leary of the IDA. The stock response of the Government is to hand matters over to somebody else and for Ministers accept no responsibility for their duties.

Yesterday, Michael O'Leary gave me two commitments. The first was that he would be prepared to demonstrate and prove that by the end of summer he would have 300 high-tech engineers working on heavy maintenance in the hangar if it is leased to him. Aer Lingus does not do heavy maintenance at Dublin Airport, as the Taoiseach is aware. The second commitment was that he is prepared to sign a contract which states that whatever circumstances arise, if heavy maintenance of Ryanair aircraft was not being carried out in hangar 6 he would hand it back to the DAA or the IDA. I remind the Taoiseach that in the leasing agreements conducted by the DAA it is clear that it can take back space or building where it is required for aircraft operation or airport development.

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