Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I appreciate that. I had intended to support Senator Norris in his earlier impassioned plea which was somewhat diluted by his subsequent sad comments about the friendly Prime Minister of a neighbouring country. Having said that, I praise the Senator. Many Members will agree with his exchange of views with the Israeli ambassador on "Morning Ireland" recently. I compliment Senator Norris on the manner in which he conducted that debate.

Will the Leader consider asking the relevant Minister, whom I believe is the Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, if he will come to the House to make a statement on the decision by the European Commission recently to fine Ryanair? It would also be appropriate to raise with the Minister the question of subsidies to State-owned airports throughout Europe. As far as I can interpret, the Minister in Brussels yesterday criticised the Commission's decision. If he did, I share his views. It is a matter of grave concern. I am not an apologist for Ryanair, but the company opened the entire aviation market and provided access to air travel to hundreds of thousands if not millions of people who would not otherwise have had it. The Commission is now to question whether or not this development should be allowed to continue unfettered. If the decision of the Commission continues to be implemented, it will have very serious consequences. I am sure the Leader will have a comment on that as a former Minister.