Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)

The Minister might be aware that he has the capacity to appoint two or three people to the board of Aer Lingus. My understanding is that, in the past, the Government gave a particular mandate to those directors as regards strategic decisions by the board, requiring them to take into account the notion of regional development. While I accept it is not possible to encumber board members on their appointment - they must put the company's interests to the fore - it is very much part of their remit to ensure that decisions are taken by the board in a manner that examines the strategic interests and needs of the country. I recall that a decision was taken by the board that any decisions similar to those on Shannon or any with an impact on strategic connectivity would have to be made by it rather than management. The Minister might recall that, on that occasion, the Government said a decision taken at management level could not be overridden by the board, and that the Government had no means of forcing this to happen other than through the bringing about of an emergency general meeting. It was not clear how the latter would pan out.

The Minister has the capacity to influence the usage or trade in key strategic slots. It should be exercised through board appointments.

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