Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

I will raise different issues so we will not have repetition. Many airlines are speaking about compensation. Last night, the chief executive of British Airways, Willie Walsh, stated there was a precedent for this as it happened after the attacks of 11 September 2001 when the United States skies were closed. Will the Minister make representations at EU level for compensation, in particular for Irish airlines? Ireland is an island nation and is very much dependant on aviation, as has been seen in recent days. Aer Lingus stated it is running losses of €4 million a day although it has cash reserves of approximately €375 million. This has put huge strain on airlines. We do not know yet how much Ryanair is losing. Will a case be made at European level for compensation?

At their video-conference meeting on Monday did the Ministers put in place a contingency plan in the event of something similar happening whereby Ministers with responsibility for transport or Governments would meet aviation authorities to discuss such emergencies? This one has cost Europe much.

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