Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach must accept that his attitude to this House, in terms of the manner in which he has facilitated the debate here today on Aer Lingus, is one of contempt. Yesterday, when asked questions in the Dáil the Taoiseach refused to answer them and then held a carefully orchestrated event last night to announce the sale of the remaining 25.1% shareholding in Aer Lingus. The Dáil has been treated in an appalling manner, despite an agreement with the transport committee that this matter would be referred back to it. Why is the Government ramming this motion through the House and why does the Taoiseach continually show such contempt for this House and its Members?

In regard to the sale itself, can the Taoiseach give the underlying reason for the necessity for the sale of the 25.1% shareholding and can he indicate whether he has had sight of the Nyras report commissioned early in February between Aer Lingus and IAG, which compares the airline to low cost airlines such as Vueling and EasyJet and states that Aer Lingus has a 40% higher cost base? Essentially, the report identifies job cuts in particular areas as part of, "Cost Reduction Phase One". I understand this report has not been published and is confidential but we have some information in regard to it. It refers to a 20% cut in ground-handling, a 40% cut in catering, a 15% cut in maintenance and a 25% cut in heavy maintenance by outsourcing it to eastern Europe. Did the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport receive a copy of that report prior to Government taking its decision?

Can the Taoiseach tell the House what will happen after seven years in terms of the regional airports, Shannon and Cork, and the Heathrow Airport slots? I believe that, strategically, the regions, ultimately and over time, will be weaker as a result of this sale-----

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