Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I thank everyone involved in the debate on the Bill. I thank the Leader for arranging the extra sittings this week. They were of benefit to everyone concerned. It would have been inappropriate to have had late sittings last week to rush this legislation through the House. We have discussed many aspects of the Bill in great detail. While we did not amend it, we managed to obtain clarification on many issues and, in the process, draw attention to a few other problems. We are all wiser now.

I thank the Minister for his courtesy and patience. It is remarkable that he stayed here yesterday for the full five or six hours. Some of his colleagues would not spend a fraction of that time in the House. It shows great respect to the House and its Members. Perhaps we are so interesting that he enjoyed staying here. I also thank the officials for their courtesy during the debate on the Bill.

Fine Gael was never opposed to giving autonomy to the airports at Cork and Shannon. However, we had grave concerns about some aspects of the Bill and we outlined them today. I suspect we will be proved right about some aspects. All we can do is wait and see and hope the new boards will formulate proper business plans that will allow the airports to develop and grow.

I might not be back here in the autumn as spokesperson on transport as a reshuffle is due. Perhaps the Minister will not be here either as Minister for Transport. Nor might a few more people be here in their current guise, given the round of applause last night.