Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I promise not to get personal.

Given that new arrangements are being made for Shannon Airport, it is a good time for us to take a good look at the use of Shannon and at ourselves in terms of the role we play in international politics and how we deal with international and humanitarian law. It is about time that we took responsibility for the land that we have. At present we are allowing Shannon to be used as a US satellite to carry out things that contravene international law.

I have read many of the statistics about Shannon and with regard to the amendments, I highlight again that we are conscious of the fact that some of the measures being introduced may make it a bit more difficult for peaceful protest and that they still do not address the possible illegal use of the airport. One would like to think that Shannon Airport would be a public space. I would also be a bit wary that some law, rules and regulations are being introduced which are a little different from what applies in other airports and I wonder is Shannon being treated as different and, if so, is it because of the US military use of same. I appeal to the Minister in that respect.

I did not hear it said but I heard that my good friend, Deputy Daly, passed on some compliments to the Minister on his role as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Despite some differences I have had with him, especially his decision to use my former company's tax problems to defend the former Minister for Justice and Equality, I too would be an admirer of him. He is one of the more capable fellows on the Government side and if he ends up in the Department of Health or in the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, I hope he will make a better fist of it than some of those who have been there before him.

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