Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies for their contributions. Some of their questions will be very ably and appropriately addressed by the task force. That is one of the reasons it has been set up. It will voice the views of some of those whose voices are very often not heard as loudly as those of others. I take the Deputies' point on union involvement. It is a very appropriate suggestion because the unions are not necessarily included on all the delegations or at meetings with Ministers. It would be a good idea for unions or the workforce to have an input into the task force and I will ensure that happens.

On Aer Lingus, I share the pain of the workers and the Deputies. It is correct to state that Aer Lingus is an independent commercial body which I cannot direct to send a route here, there or anywhere. It makes those decisions. Although I may regret certain decisions it makes and may make national policy, I cannot direct an airline to put a route into a particular airport.

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