Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

These are the facts. If 6,000 sq. m. is required at Prestwick to create half the jobs, as Ryanair outlined last week, is it too much too assume that a similar floor area would be suitable to create the remaining jobs here? Two hangars are available at present for this work. Given that hangars one and two were subject to negotiation between Ryanair and DAA, it is not a case of the airline never having dealings with the authority.

The issue is that Mr. Michael O'Leary wants hangar six to be provided to Ryanair. It is not possible to breach those binding contracts. Deputy Kenny might think he can walk into Office as Taoiseach and breach contracts but he cannot. He would induce a breach of contracts and would in any event be stopped with an injunction by those who have the benefit of the licence agreement.

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