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

It is not agreed to. I object in the strongest possible terms to the manner in which the Government is trying to ram and railroad this proposal through the Dáil without adequate analysis or any due respect for the institution of the House. There has been no contact from Whip to Whip about it. The Chief Whip did not even have the basic courtesy to ring our Whip to discuss the proposal.

In the Dáil yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach to outline details of the proposed sale of Aer Lingus. He steadfastly refused to provide me with any information, despite the extensive briefing of the media and trade unions that has taken place. Late yesterday evening, at about 9 p.m., it was revealed that Aer Lingus is to be sold. It is all about orchestration of news media, news management and an absolute contempt for the Dáil. The Government Whip should be proposing to refer this matter to the transport committee, where witnesses should be called and a proper analysis undertaken of whether this deal is in the best interests of the country. The Government has spent months behind the scenes, behind closed doors, working on this deal. Perhaps it was delayed until now because of the by-election or other electoral considerations, but it is entirely unsatisfactory that notice should be circulated to Members late at night, at the 11th hour, to announce a change to the scheduling of Dáil business the following day at 9.30 a.m. It was a kind of slippery, sleeveen approach to orchestrating the business of the House.

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