Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the passing of the Bill. I recognise what Senator Browne said, particularly in regard to some of the issues raised. There were delays associated with the passage of the Bill, which have had an impact in terms of those who signed the letters of commitment and whether they would be part of the ESOP at a later stage. I refer to those who have taken voluntary redundancy or those who had retired as part of the natural progression. Those concerns were raised by Members on all sides of the House. The Minister's comments on the last occasion were welcome.

The Minister and I met a group of workers from Aer Lingus last Friday while he was in Shannon. The issues he raised and the approach the Department has taken in terms of the resolution of this matter was widely accepted by the workforce. There is still some concern that because this is open to only those members who are now part of the company or who will ultimately be part of the ESOP that the natural element of greed has the capacity, if a ballot is taken by the trustee which in all likelihood it will be, to exclude at a later stage those who have accepted voluntary redundancy under some of the current programmes or who have retired. The Department and the Minister are anxious to see this issue resolved in a manner satisfactory to all parties and I hope the Department will continue to work with the trustee and the company to ensure a resolution.

The passage of this Bill will allow Aer Lingus to move forward with its plans. Senator Browne mentioned Aer Lingus's commitment to Government policy in respect of balanced regional development and the necessity for the company to maintain a strong base at Shannon Airport. This should be not only a base but an access point, particularly for transatlantic flights. While this is tied up in many other issues in the context of the open skies programme, there is a huge awareness across the region, in evidence at a recent public meeting in Shannon, of the necessity of a transatlantic connection to the west. It provides the cornerstone for Government policy on regional development.

Despite the fact this Bill sets out certain measures and mechanisms through which the circumstances might change, Aer Lingus must recognise it is still a State company and must deliver on Government policy. The Government has taken a strong approach to decentralisation, which I hope Aer Lingus recognises. I also hope the centralised approach which appears to be the company's policy will be halted. In that context, I welcome the Minister's approach and involvement as shareholder. I will not elaborate on this issue because we are concerned with the passage of this Bill.

I thank the Minister of State for giving his time in the House and for his openness and assistance in our understanding the provisions of the Bill through his detailed explanations. I also thank the officials who have been most helpful in identifying and explaining to us the thought process behind different elements of the Bill. I thank my colleagues, Senators Browne and Wilson, for their assistance in this regard.