Shane Ross (Independent)

If the Cathaoirleach wants to continue I will not interrupt him. I support the call by Senator Ryan for a debate on Aer Rianta as it is important to hold one at this time. I travelled through Dublin Airport on Monday. It is a complete shambles. While Senator Ryan and I might not agree about the direction Aer Rianta and airports should take, the consumer is suffering as a result of the political paralysis and the extraordinary carry on that is going on at the top level.

It is time the House faced up to the fact that some strange things are happening. When the Minister declared yesterday that there are forces frustrating what he wants to do, the House is entitled to know what he is talking about. This matter is of great importance to tourism, imports and exports and all sorts of areas that are vital to the economy. Forces that we apparently do not understand are frustrating this. I ask the Leader to consider inviting the Minister for Transport to the House to explain what he means by saying forces are at work, why he is being frustrated and, particularly, that he identifies the source of leaks from Cabinet that are obviously frustrating the wishes of the Government.