Results 5,081-5,100 of 10,035 for speaker:Martin Cullen

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: It would undermine every company, public and private.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is nonsense. What debate is Deputy Lynch listening to?

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputy should go back to primary school and learn to add.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I thank Members for their contributions to this debate, in particular those who made constructive comments. I was saddened by the Deputies who offered nothing but political slogans, jargon and cliches to the workers of Aer Lingus. I have seen many instances of companies which could have been saved but for politicians who played populist politics.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Some of the attitudes expressed in this debate were about "me and my seat" and had little to do with Aer Lingus and its staff or the development of aviation services. It is extraordinary that the expansion to Dubai, which is the most significant new route opened by Aer Lingus since the foundation of the company——

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I did not shout Deputy Shortall down and I expect her to respect me when I speak.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The route offers fantastic economic opportunities in terms of tourism and the development of aviation in this country. I did not portray Dubai as an alternative to London, despite Deputy Shortall's best efforts to portray that.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I am long enough in politics to remember the Labour Party's slogans in the elections in 1973 and the 1980s.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: We are in the 21st century, and I note the contrast between the Labour Party's lack of advancement in political and economic thinking and their European counterparts. The same old tired slogans, scaremongering and nonsense that characterised the party's former electioneering continue to be rolled out.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: It was all about the party's lust for power and nothing to do with the reality of economics and development in this country. I was described as an ideologue on privatisation but I was the Minister who stood in the gap to prevent the Dublin Airport Authority from being taken over by private interests.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I have been consistent in my views with regard to State assets.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Deputy Shortall is addressing the Minister who kept Dublin Airport in State ownership and who will insist on that in the future.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: This motion seeks the approval of the House for the general principles of the disposal of a significant portion of the State's shareholding in Aer Lingus.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: I will address that issue presently. The future funding requirements and ownership structure of Aer Lingus have been the subject of extensive analysis and debate over the past number of years. The future of the company is being considered by a dedicated Cabinet sub-committee and has been debated in the House on a number of occasions. My Department and the Department of Finance have...

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: We could continue to debate the issues indefinitely but that would not be fair to the company or its staff. The company needs certainty if it is to plan effectively for its future.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: At least I stand for something and have the courage to make the right decision.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: Aer Lingus thinks there is a big market to Dubai, and so do other airlines.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: What the Deputy is saying is untrue.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: That is untrue.

Disposal of Shares in Aer Lingus Group plc: Motion. (6 Jul 2006)

Martin Cullen: The Deputies are past masters at playing with people's jobs and lives.