Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Listening to the contributions of Members on the other side of the House I have to say there is a huge difference in their interpretation or understanding of what is happening here and what the Government is doing. The most important point is the question of jobs. Approximately 3,700 people are employed by Aer Lingus. That is a huge number of employees in any organisation. The change that is coming in that organisation, if and when this deal is approved by the Oireachtas and goes through, will be profound. It is a challenge for everybody concerned, but it is a change that guarantees the future of the company and the future of the employees.

We are living in a constantly changing world and aviation, as everybody here knows, can change almost overnight. The fact that a company like IAG, which is a very significant player in the world and not just in the European market, is the only bidder for Aer Lingus at this stage shows there is a thought out plan in place and that commitments about jobs have been given. The Minister, Deputy Donohoe, spelt that out last night and today but I will spell it out again.

It will grow the transatlantic route from an existing nine aircraft with an additional eight, bringing it to 17 in total. These aircraft will have to be manned by approximately 650 other skilled people, including pilots, cabin crew and service personnel. A major investment is coming to Aer Lingus, and it will guarantee new jobs on the transatlantic route. It will be the lifeblood of Dublin. The companies are committed to increasing the number of passengers by 2.5 million. This means 2.5 million more people will come into our airports and move on into our country or travel on to the US or further abroad.

It is a very positive story and it is very impressive to people who are looking at it from my constituency, Louth and Meath East. Many people in my area work in Aer Lingus or at the airport and are delighted with the fact that new investment is coming in and that there is a new vision for Aer Lingus. The new vision is being led by an old hand in terms of Aer Lingus. Willie Walsh was a very dynamic person when he worked in Aer Lingus and, while he may have fallen foul of the political establishment of the day, he was a dynamic leader and has shown true and dynamic leadership in this proposal. I have every confidence that Aer Lingus will go from strength to strength.

The connectivity is guaranteed for a minimum of seven years. The physical schedules of aeroplanes that land and take off in Heathrow with a destination or origin of Ireland will continue. The summer and winter schedule is guaranteed, which is a major plus. There is great security in the modern world in terms of the company and the investment it will make. The aircraft cargo business will grow by 50%. It is a major opportunity for Ireland, Aer Lingus and the workers. I do not see it in any negative light whatsoever. A person who lives in Eurasia, on the far side of the world, and who wants to come to Ireland will be able to fly all the way with one company. This is a major advantage in connectivity. People abroad say one of the problems is that there are no direct flights to Ireland and they do not know about Ireland because nobody is pushing it. When we are a part of that larger company, it will make a major difference.

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