Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 4, subsection (1), line 15, after "Finance" to insert ", subject to the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas".

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials to the House. This Stage should not take long unless Senator Dooley has problems with the legislation. It is proper to take those three amendments together. There are two Houses of the Oireachtas. The Minister gave a commitment in the Dáil that any future sale of Aer Lingus would come before the Dáil. My amendment proposes that it come before both the Dáil and the Seanad. I believe there is equal brain power in this House as there is in the other House. We are fortunate to have Members such as Senator Dooley and Senators O'Toole and Ross on the Independent benches. Senator O'Toole has a great trade union background while Senator Ross may be on the right of Irish politics. The requirement that any proposed sale of Aer Lingus should be debated in this House would ensure a good balanced view on issues that might be missed in the other House. I believe it is normal practice that an issue such as this would come before both Houses.

From my inquiries it appears that the sale of Eircom was debated in this House. The Leader has indicated to me that as far as she can recall this was the case. It might set a precedent. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the situation. It is in everyone's interests to have a debate in both Houses.