Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The European Commission did a thorough investigative analysis and assessment of the competition implications of a Ryanair takeover of Aer Lingus. That is central to this in terms of the impact on the country and the impact on consumers through the creation of a dominant monopoly position. It is an indictment of the Government, given it declared long before it came into office that it wanted to sell State assets. This was something to which the Government, particularly Fine Gael, committed itself. With the greatest of respect, the Tánaiste, Ministers of State such as Deputy O'Sullivan and Deputy Shortall, and many other Labour Party Deputies would be incandescent with rage if they were on this side of the House, demanding answers from Government. They had a clear position on the strategic importance of Aer Lingus and the impact on consumers and workers. The fundamental point is that it is incumbent on the Government to protect competition because Ryanair has been a success because of competition across the European zone and the creation of a competitive environment. The Government should oppose the bid to protect competition, protect consumers and ensure connectivity to this country at a reasonable rate of low fares on a continuing competitive basis.

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