Shane Ross (Independent)

I ask the Leader to arrange an urgent and early debate on Aer Lingus, a topic which has risen to the fore in the past few days. I hope it will not expose a difference between the Progressive Democrats and Fianna Fáil but there is such a danger. The debate needs to take place immediately because Willie Walsh, the chief executive of Aer Lingus, appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Transport yesterday and announced that the so-called investment plan had been withdrawn. This means Aer Lingus is back in limbo, the future of the company is a matter of conjecture and nobody knows about it. It is important because a great deal of State money is involved.

Its ownership provokes and prompts a great deal of political and ideological discussion. This debate should be taken without delay. Aer Lingus is in a healthy state. Those who support the status quo and continued State ownership, in particular, say it is fine and why interfere with the company. However, this is a business that goes up and down quickly and with the price of oil increasing on world markets, Aer Lingus could be in crisis again within months. That is the reality. We should not sit back in a self-satisfied manner just because everything is all right with Aer Lingus currently while failing to anticipate the next crisis in this semi-State body. If we rely on history, it is certain that there will be a crisis.

When we discuss Aer Lingus we should also discuss the future of Aer Rianta, a related subject which I raised yesterday in the House. It has reached a critical point. Such a debate need not be a matter of personalities or bashing one person or another. Aer Rianta is about to be transformed one way or the other and it would be very suitable for this House not to be a spectator in the development of these semi-State bodies. As long as these companies are under State ownership, the House has a real role to play from which it should not shy away for political reasons.