Shane Ross (Dublin South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is being quite frankly ridiculous. That is a trivial point. I am saying that in the event of Aer Lingus being sold the money should go to these people.

The Minister made an absurd point. He is particularly compromised on this issue because it involves a large number of voters in his constituency. This makes it very difficult for him to make objective judgments on a matter of this nature and will obviously influence his decision.

The Minister should be aware that the companies in question have issued strident documents to the employees in which they are told to sign a waiver or see their pensions go up in smoke. The employees are being asked to forego their legal right to sue or take action in future. These letters are placing additional pressure on people to give up their legal rights. The Minister is not being fair to these people who have been treated extraordinarily badly. The money will be available. The Minister should contradict the trustee - that is precisely what I am asking - and act in the just and fair interests of people who served the nation well.

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