Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have agreed to the conclusion of the Bill, which will now pass. I am in broad agreement with the provisions of the Bill, the importance attached to the establishment of Shannon Airport as an independent body, the bringing together of the assets of Shannon Development, notwithstanding my reservations about the viability of the combined entity. I hope, as a result of the decisions taken here, that we are on a path towards a viable future for Shannon Airport as an independent entity. On behalf of my party, I hope we can reach a time when a business plan for Cork Airport can be achieved that allows it, too, to operate independently. The only obvious point raised by a number of us through the Stages was our concern at how the pension provisions are included in the Bill. We have had that discussion, and it rests.

In welcoming the overall provisions of the Bill I wish the Minister well in the deliberations at Cabinet and Government level over the coming days. While I would not want to pre-empt the outcome of the discussions, if this is the Minister's last act as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I would want to pay my respects to him as somebody who has discharged his duties in a most effective, fair and honourable manner. He has shown his capacity to deal with complex legislation and political issues appropriately at all times in a way which seeks to include the views and concerns of all Members of the House regardless of their political hue or origins. That was not the case among people who occupied his position in the past, or many others at Cabinet of any political party.

For many, Deputy Varadkar has stood out as a Minister who has taken a fresh approach to involving Parliament. In dealing with legislation, he has sought to break down party political barriers. When ideas have come forward from any side of the House, he has sought to include them. Many of his colleagues and others who might occupy high office in future could learn from the example the Minister has set in his short time in Cabinet. I wish him well in his future career. He has set a standard for others to follow.

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