Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)

Does the Tánaiste agree that when, on the national airwaves, she answered "No" to a question as to whether she would make a telephone call to Mr. Michael O'Leary, the chief executive of Ryanair, she gave the impression that she had no interest in becoming personally involved in the dynamic of making things work and that she leaves such matters to her agencies? Is it not the case that while Ministers will turn up for photo opportunities and television pictures, when hard work must be done, as was the case here, the Tánaiste did not pick up the telephone or say "Yes"? Does she agree that she has given the clear impression that she does not hear the voices of anger and frustration of more than 800 people who lost their jobs in SR Technics and does not care about how they feel?

Does the Tánaiste agree that there is room for everybody - Aer Lingus, Ryanair, the Dublin Airport Authority and the Minister - to sit around a table to secure an agreement and bring jobs to north Dublin? Given the jobs crisis, with more than 400,000 people without work, does she agree that her lax and laid-back response is unacceptable?

Will the Tánaiste indicate what involvement, if any, the Minister for Transport and his Department have had in the discussions? She referred to the Minister in her statement, as did Mr. O'Leary when he spoke on the airwaves yesterday. What action is the Tánaiste taking? Why did she refuse to make a telephone call? Does she not agree that she has shown a clear lack of energy, enthusiasm and commitment to secure the jobs in question, having refused point blank to pick up a telephone and call the chief executive of an Irish company? If the person in question was the chief executive of Google or another major international company, the Tánaiste would fly with a band to the United States to meet him. Is it not the case that Mr. O'Leary believes the Tánaiste, by her attitude, is neglecting the potential of his company to create jobs in Dublin Airport?

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