Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

First, I will comment on how the debate has been scheduled. The provision of just five minutes per speaker on such an important topic is very disappointing, particularly given that it will pass through the Seanad without even any nod to a debate. The discussion on the distribution of €335 million from the controversial sale of the State's share in Aer Lingus warrants a real debate. Aer Lingus was, and remains, an important link with the rest of the world. Aer Lingus is a strategic asset which the Government chose to sell for a fraction of its true value. The decision was made well before any real offer was made back in 2012. From then, it was a matter of time.

Connectivity is essential for Ireland as an island nation. The idea that a one-time pay off into a fund will do the same job Aer Lingus did for many years is hard to swallow. It is particularly hard to swallow now that we know it was not true that Aer Lingus's Heathrow slots were protected indefinitely. It was said to have been a major success in the negotiations over the sell-off of the State's stake. Although we were told Ireland's connectivity through Aer Lingus was secured by the agreement, it is clear that the retention of the slots is time limited. Ireland will still be an island nation in seven years. That it will be a nation with access to slots in Heathrow and other airports on which we depend is less certain. Given Willie Walsh's desire, which he repeatedly stated, to have more Heathrow slots for the Far East and South America routes, it is very doubtful that we will retain the slots.

Any assurances on the future use of the Heathrow slots will disappear when the seven-year period has elapsed. When IAG shareholders' interests become paramount, the interests of the Irish people will take a back seat, at best. This also causes grave concern among Aer Lingus workers, who fear the prospect of compulsory redundancies. Registered employment agreements, REA, legislation has still not been put through the House, and I wonder whether it will happen before the Dáil is dissolved. The Nyras report still hangs over workers' heads in the context of new management, who have a history of mass sackings, as was seen in the case of Iberia. They are also, understandably, worried about the inevitable restructuring that will take place in Aer Lingus under the IAG umbrella.

We have seen in recent years how the private profit interests of shareholders left deferred pensioners reeling as they were forced to accept massive cuts to their pensions. The Government's applause is not enough to distract from the continuing unjust treatment of the deferred members of the Aer Lingus pension scheme. They have had no resolution, hope or recognition in this whole situation. The Minister is well aware of the issue, having met with representatives of the 1,500 deferred pensioners who had received letters of comfort from Aer Lingus. After great service, they were told their pensions and entitlements were secure, only to be betrayed. Their pensions have been halved, and this has been underpinned by legislation penned by the Government in the State Airports Act. These workers deserve better than this treatment, better than the Government.

The matter is unresolved. This unjust treatment goes on while the Government schedules for the House to plan the distribution of the spoils of the betrayal of the workers and Ireland's strategic interest in Aer Lingus. While there is no resolution to the deferred members pension scandal, there should be no move to spend these proceeds elsewhere. I oppose this and will call a vote.

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