Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The DAA, as I am aware from my discussions with it, is in a position to reconfigure the hangars at Dublin Airport to make them available, but it requires a specification of the needs of the company concerned in order to do so. That can be done in the context of a business plan. I hope that my discussions this evening with Ryanair representatives will involve a discussion of the framework of a business plan so that we can see how we may provide the possibility of offering support. Mr. Michael O'Leary has indicated that Ryanair is not seeking financial support from the State for this development, but that can be a matter for further discussion and negotiation.

I accept there are issues in regard to the European Globalisation Fund. I will meet the Commissioner following on from a new submission that is being prepared by my Department to support people who unfortunately have lost their jobs and would like to avail of further educational opportunities. We continue to provide those services through FÁS, the institutes of technology and the universities but if there are people who are experiencing specific difficulties, I will be glad to deal with them personally through my office.

Our business in this House is not to deal with what is put out in the media. I am concerned with examining a business plan and working with the relevant agencies to see whether these issues can be delivered. It is not beyond the capacity of Ryanair or any of our established airlines to be in a position to do that. In the context of further discussions tonight, I hope we will be able to move forward this matter. That will not be done on the basis of location in one way or another but on the basis of a substantial business plan that can provide jobs and support Ryanair's development and embedment in the State.

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