David Norris (Independent)

I am grateful to my colleague, Senator Quinn, for allowing me to share his time. I listened to him with great interest because he is one of the most successful business people in this State. He analyses issues from the Independent benches in a very independent way and not with any sectoral, partisan or party interest. When we hear such a voice coming from industry we should listen carefully.

I am not trying to stir things up, but I noted, as did everybody else, the courageous stance of the Leader of the House. She has a habit of adopting such stances. She raised certain points with which I agree. They may be met. I do not want to sow division on this matter. However, many people have reservations about the Bill.

I refer to a couple of issues that were raised in the general debate which is very broad. I was amused when there was a question about the Minister possibly publishing some information, and a voice, Senator Leyden's, said "Don't hold your breath". I thought it was a very interesting comment. I hope it made the record. I have reasonably acute hearing and it most certainly was said. Senator Dooley complimented the Minister on the opening of the Luas. We have the Luas now. We are stuck with it. It is pretty and it gives the impression that we are a European capital city. However, what Senator Dooley said was wrong. It cannot mathematically ease the traffic congestion. That is a mathematical calculation which has been done and we know the answer. The only way forward, in addition to prettifying the city with the Luas, is to put in a metro. I hope that early in the autumn we can have a full debate here in which we can place on the record of the House the conclusions of the consultant's report received by the transport committee which unambiguously endorsed the metro and stated that it would be to the cost of the City of Dublin if we did not put it in. I raise that point in reaction to the comments of my distinguished colleague who is also a member of that committee. The Minister referred to the convenience of the airport not alone for users but also for airlines. I would like to peddle my own hobby horse before coming to deal with the Bill. Perhaps the Minister would examine the issue of fair structures. Helios Airways which serves Cyprus — an airline in which I am interested because I use its services — is a scheduled airline. However, I happen to know it sells off almost all its seats en bloc to tour operators. That makes it a chartered airline. I tried in April to book seats for particular dates in September and was told they were all booked up. I know the aeroplanes are returning half empty but the airline does not give a damn because it has sold them to tour operators. That is unfair to customers. It is about time airlines, which operate crazy structures, showed a little respect for customers.

It was interesting that the Minister departed from time to time from his script to strengthen it with phrases such as, "the Government has decided" and so on. It was obviously an intention on his part to put a stamp of Cabinet approval on the matter and to show its members are all rowing together on this one.