Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

A number of issues were raised. Some of them were not directly related but I will try to respond as best I can. An event such as this is unprecedented in Europe and I do not think any of us ever imagined when this began last Thursday that we would still be talking about it on Tuesday or would probably be speaking about its effects on this day week also. As soon as the air space is freed up I expect we will have an urgent meeting of Ministers with responsibility for transport to discuss all aspects of it.

On the Deputy's final point, with regard to it recurring in the short term with the same volcano or with the large one beside it, Katla, we need to learn from what has happened. In this regard the Deputy mentioned incidents which need to be examined. The behaviour, reaction and response of the airlines and airports should be examined as should the response of host countries to try to learn from them. It is fair to state that although sometimes European regulations can be fairly obscure we probably have the strongest set of guarantees for passengers of any area in the world. However, I am sure we can learn from this experience and perhaps improve them.

I do not know whether anything can be done about profiteering in other countries of which I heard about from various constituents. However, I acknowledge, as the Deputy did, that in Ireland while we can be accused of raising prices when demand increases for specific events what has happened here generally with regard to accommodation and meals is that registered bed and breakfast and Fáilte Ireland outlets have endeavoured to keep prices down to make those already distressed feel a little more at home. They are to be commended for that. I must correct the Deputy as it was not something we told them to do, they undertook to do it themselves.

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