Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The reason we have concerns about slots is that we remember what happened before. The Minister has dealt with slots previously. It is interesting that he referred to Aer Lingus flying to Heathrow. In 1989, following considerable investment in consultancy, planning, advertising and marketing Aer Lingus developed five to seven daily slots to Stansted, but the current Minister, who was then also the Minister, took the slots from Aer Lingus and handed them to Ryanair. I have watched this game being played before. At what stage does it not have an interest in it? I heard Senator Dooley say that the Government does not have a great influence over Aer Lingus but I draw Members' attention to Aer Lingus's chief executive who earlier this week listed the six new routes to the US he could open next month if the Government would let him do so. The Minister cannot blame Members on this side for querying the issue because we have suffered from what happened before.