Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

If the EU decides to offer compensation to airlines we will make a very strong case for Irish airlines. However, at this point in time, with the budgetary situation we have, we do not anticipate we will be leading a charge to have States compensating airlines. We do not have the money to do so and we cannot do so. I saw the statement issued by the EU Commissioner, which was a bit careful. If the EU decides to provide a compensation package we will fight for our share of it. However, we do not anticipate being in a position to pay compensation directly to airlines because of our financial situation. I would be wary of compensation for an event such as this because it would tend to favour larger legacy airlines in Europe rather than ourselves. In the longer term it might prove to be more detrimental than help to Irish airlines.

As soon as the situation is resolved there will be a formal meeting of Ministers at which we will have a discussion and, having learned from this particular experience, put in place whatever plans are necessary for anything that might happen in the future.

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