Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Here is another one: "It is noted that Aer Lingus' current collective agreements provide flexibility and mobility across its workforce, without unduly restricting other possible approaches". That is reassuring. The document also states "the company does not foresee a likelihood of compulsory redundancy or non-direct employment". Again, that is very reassuring.

It is quite clear that this is very far from any guarantee on jobs. What is much clearer is what we have heard today, by accident, that major potential cost savings at Aer Lingus have been identified in an analysis commissioned by Aer Lingus. This was carried out by the international aviation consultancy company Nyras. The study concludes that the airline should set aggressive but achievable targets for short-haul cost efficiency at a minimum of €60 million or €5 to €6 per seat. It also recommends what it terms the next steps which identify potential savings. The breakdown of these possible savings includes ground handling at 20%, catering 25% and maintenance 15%. The total that could be achieved from these savings was estimated at more than €58 million in the analysis.

There are many unanswered questions. Why is it that in spite of the protracted negotiations, the Government did not achieve an improved share price? Why is it that when the official asset position of Aer Lingus is put at €1.8 billion, the offer price is less than €1.4 billion? That is a critical question to which we all deserve an answer. Why, for example, is the Government afraid to allow scrutiny of the deal by the Committee on Transport and Communications, as promised? Why did some backbenchers hold out hope to deferred IASS pensioners who were disgracefully treated? Why did some backbenchers hold out the hope that the pensioners' shocking treatment would be addressed by the proceeds from this sale, when it is clear that nothing of the sort will happen?

What exactly is the connectivity fund that the Minister talks about and how do we know that it will not become an election slush fund? I understand that Government backbenchers will be briefed again tonight by Mr. Willie Walsh. The decision is being taken by Members of this House and it is not acceptable that private briefings are going on. It is important that Government backbenchers are not again enthralled by Mr. Walsh or by the fact that simply because he is from Dublin he has some kind of loyalty to Irish interests. Mr. Walsh did a good job in Aer Lingus, but he did so while answering to the shareholders of Aer Lingus. He is now answering to the shareholders of IAG and their interests are very different to our national interests.

Government backbenchers should not be taken in tonight and tomorrow by the spin they are getting from everybody or the group-think that is going on. They should get a copy of the Nyras report and have a full briefing on it. They should find out what is really in store for Aer Lingus staff. They should also find out about the B share and whether there is any basis in reality for such a construct. They should not vote blindly, but should listen instead to their constituents and to what staff in Aer Lingus are saying. They should not act like lemmings. They have a duty as Members of this House to inform themselves properly and independently, while listening to the views of their voters. If they do not do so, there will be a heavy price to pay.

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