Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State and his officials for their courtesy and help during the last few weeks when we debated this important Bill. Fine Gael accepts that the option of privatisation should exist for Aer Lingus. We must acknowledge that it almost went bankrupt in the past ten years. We must also accept the global realities in the airline industry and take account of other state airlines that have gone bankrupt in the last while. That does not necessarily mean that Fine Gael is telling the Minister to immediately privatise the airline. That would be an important decision and the Minister would have to weigh up all the options before doing so.

The Seanad proved its worth in the past few weeks. When this Bill was going through the Dáil, we raised the rights of the workers who left Aer Lingus in the period between December 2003 and March 2004. While we might not have solved that matter, we brought it to the attention of people and perhaps that will ensure those workers will get their full entitlements.

I hope Aer Lingus has a successful future. We have praised Willie Walsh in the past for the work he has done, but I am not happy with some recent developments, particularly in regard to pilots. I am aware that my colleague, Senator Dooley, is not happy about some developments in regard to Shannon. Perhaps we need to have a more balanced debate at this stage and to revisit the issue of the future of Aer Lingus on another day, although not necessarily in this context.

I have brought the Department's attention to an issue with which I am concerned, and I am aware that it is actively working on it. I look forward to its reply in due course.