Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I draw the attention of the Deputy Leader to the request yesterday for the Minister for Transport to come to the House to debate European Commission rulings. The debate has moved on since then. Reports in this morning's media suggest that as a result of yet another court ruling, Ryanair plans to impose a 50 cent levy on all passengers as it has been found guilty of not providing free wheelchair access at airports for passengers needing it. This is a scandal. With respect to what has already been raised this morning, this will have a far greater impact on people.

I ask the relevant Minister to make a statement utterly condemning this initiative. This imposition is not just on those who require wheelchair access at airports, but on all passengers. Ryanair has the support of this House in its principles of establishing low cost airline access for working class people, which one applauds. When it is reeling from the European Commission ruling, I ask that Ryanair withdraw this levy in the interests of equity and fair play.