Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange a debate with the new Minister for Transport as soon as possible. I recognise that he has been given a complex brief and that it will take him some time to read himself into certain important matters. However, as I outlined yesterday, there are particular difficulties in the mid-west in respect of Aer Lingus and the new airport authority. We should widen the discussion to include the rail strategy, especially as the second Luas line has come on stream in recent days. I would like an update in the House about the activities of the working group on the western rail corridor and the state of that project. The outgoing Minister was supportive of the rail spur to Shannon Airport. He was in the final throes of announcing funding for that project. I would like progress to be made in that regard as quickly as possible. A debate would be welcome.

I wish the former Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, well. I hope he has an enjoyable time in the Department of Social and Family Affairs. We worked quite well with him in this House. He was supportive of us on many occasions. I wish those Ministers who are retiring well, particularly the former Minister for the mid-west, Deputy Michael Smith, who gave tremendous service to the region and the country. I wish him well in his retirement.