Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

All will be announced on this side of the election and the Government will say it has the money to carry out the investment, but it will not acknowledge the fact that the money will have been obtained by selling a State asset.

Aer Lingus has been successful. Deputy Michael Ring is the Minister of State responsible for promoting this country and travels the world to do so. Aer Lingus is synonymous with the country. It is the national carrier, but it also symbolises something about Ireland internationally. The slots in Heathrow are critical. We have got a guarantee that, for seven years, the slots will not be sold. As a representative of Cork, I realise that companies of international importance do not locate there or in the southern region based on a short-term guarantee of seven years. They project well beyond that horizon.

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