Results 81-100 of 193 for speaker:Jim McDaid

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Aer Lingus is a commercial company with a commercial mandate and has to make its own decisions. We do not interfere in a company which has a commercial mandate as such. However, Fianna Fáil has and will continue to have a political interest in the matter at Shannon Airport. Aer Lingus must ensure it can take its place among other airlines operating in the international aviation industry. One...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I took the Montreal Convention legislation in the Dáil yesterday and there was more debate about Knock, Shannon and Cork Airports than about the legislation. However, if I was a backbencher, I would also make sure that I raised those issues. The Council of Ministers is debating the single skies policy and the slots issue is being dealt with separately. Aer Lingus does not own slots but has...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I have explained what could happen regarding the Shannon stopover. An airline such as Air France could come in and swipe the gateway from under the nose of Aer Lingus.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Shannon Airport no longer needs to be as dependent on Aer Lingus as it has been. More than 70% of people from Munster must fly from Dublin when going on holidays when that is not necessary. This is a complicated area and it is a case of the best interests of Irish aviation versus the best interests of Aer Lingus. The slots issue is a concern because 40% of all European passengers travelling...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: The Minister's actions would be determined by the Government of the day. Grandfather rights mean one is entitled to slots because one has been there for such long time, but one does not own them. There is an ongoing debate on this issue in Europe and I can make the papers available to the Deputy if he so wishes.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Whoever takes over the airline automatically gets them.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: There are 12 members on the board, four of whom are worker directors and if an employee share ownership plan, ESOP, is to go ahead, the number of worker directors would be reduced to allow for representation by ESOP. In the event of a future sale, it would allow the third party to be on the board as well. It is trying to keep the number on the board at a workable level. It would not be the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: As I understand it, Senator Browne's amendment seeks to provide that people who have left the company would be entitled to participate in a shareholding scheme. In the ordinary definition of the term, "shareholding" is used to reward people who have been in a company for the work they have done. It would be exceptionally difficult in this case to establish an entirely new scheme. The separate...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: That matter is dealt with in section 4.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Can I clarify this with the Senator after the debate?

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: The purpose of section 9 was raised in the Dáil. It involves superannuation schemes in Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta and contains 17 subsections. My response to the Senator's amendment relates to superannuation schemes in general. The sole purpose of the section is to provide that Aer Lingus may establish its own pension schemes at some stage. While the section is long and complex, running to 17...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: All I can say to Senators is that if a lay person was to attempt to read this legislation, he or she would consider it to be double Dutch. It is drafted in another form of the English language. The provisions of the Bill use a different phraseology to Senator Browne's amendment to achieve the same effect. My officials have indicated that the provision the Senator seeks to make through his...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I thank Members for facilitating discussion on Committee Stage. If Members have any queries, they can avail of the expertise within my Department. Report Stage ordered for Wednesday, 31 March 2004.

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: Most of the amendments being considered today have arisen from the debate in the Dáil. I appreciate the Senator's point of view. There is no question about the brain power in both Houses of the Oireachtas. Unfortunately the Minister for Finance is the main shareholder in the airline. I am informed that in the case of Eircom it was stated the Minister could not dispose of any shares in the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I agree with the Senator. It was raised by Fine Gael Members in the Dáil. Accountability is very important in this case and I believe that is what the Senator is asking for. The Senator has not tabled an amendment to section 3(5) which provides for the laying of the principles of a sale for approval by the Dáil. The text used in subsection (5) follows precedent as it is similar to that used...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: There are many areas which the Department of Transport has sought to fund. For example, tolls should be ring-fenced for the Department. Unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world and the Department of Finance seems to rule the roost. I have been informed that acceptance of the amendment, as read, would not necessarily mean the Department of Finance could use the capital for capital...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Committee Stage. (25 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I thank the Senators for accepting this. It was a matter with which I, the Minister or anyone else had no major hang-up. It is understood that the proposed amendment would have been tabled in the belief that such amendments would facilitate the issue of ESOP shares to Aer Lingus employees who have recently left the company. This is not so. The legislation does not determine who gets the...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: After all the debate this afternoon I find it impossible to deal with all the issues, including the slots about which there is much confusion. I shall deal first with those who are opposed to the Bill, namely, the Labour Party and Senator Quinn. Senator Quinn commenced by saying he felt there was a wake in regard to four years ago. If there is a wake, the person tends to be dead. I would...

Seanad: Aer Lingus Bill 2003: Second Stage (Resumed). (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: I will bring the points raised to the attention of the Minister and they can be discussed on Committee Stage.

Seanad: Rural Transport Initiative. (3 Mar 2004)

Jim McDaid: It is a pity the Senator cannot be truthful with the pensioners he purports to support. Instead of telling them there has been a cut in Government funding he should tell them there has been a 20% increase. He has confused the people working on this worthwhile initiative. The issue has been confused by the Senator's use of the word "cutback" when there has been an increase. Mismanagement by...