Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The Tánaiste has failed, yet again, to secure jobs for north Dublin and Meath. We are now in the realm of excuses. It cannot happen because there is a contract between Aer Lingus and DAA. It cannot happen because there is a 20 year lease. It cannot happen because DAA is in there. It cannot happen because DAA effectively runs the country and the Government is not in charge.

Yesterday I asked the Taoiseach to intervene in the matter. He had no problem intervening when the banks came calling to the Government's doors. The red carpet was rolled out and he intervened to ensure they were given a guarantee. He also intervened when recapitalisation was made available and to see that legislation was drafted within days. In this case, however, all of a sudden we cannot do anything because it is down to failure by excuse. DAA has in effect given two fingers to 300 high skilled jobs for 300 families in north Dublin and Meath because the Government failed to secure them. The Taoiseach could have intervened.

His Government owns 100% of DAA and 25% of Aer Lingus. Ryanair owns a further 29% of the latter. He can intervene, as he did in other cases, to secure these jobs. I ask him, before these 300 jobs go across the sea, whether he will intervene today to do what the Tánaiste said she would do in terms of pulling out all the stops to secure these high technology jobs and their incomes for 300 families in north Dublin and Meath. He should prove he is Taoiseach and in charge by putting it up to them.

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