Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Wilson for affording me a brief opportunity to contribute to the debate. I welcome the Minister and thank him for the comprehensive statement he has made to the House which sets out the scene clearly. It is difficult to discuss in such a short time the future of Aer Lingus especially in the encircling gloom of the aviation business. While a decision before Christmas would be welcome I recommend strongly the Government takes some time because one cannot decide the future of Aer Lingus in isolation from some of the other issues. One cannot decide the future strategy for Aer Lingus in the absence of decisions on the open skies issue, which will be discussed in the new year, and in the absence of a clear indication as to how the new airport authorities and their costs will be managed during the next few years.

While some Members have called for an early decision from the Cabinet sub-committee on the future strategy, ownership, direction and fly path of Aer Lingus, all of which are important, it is equally important to keep in mind that one cannot decide the future of the airline and its strategic way forward in isolation from some of the other issues. It needs further time to make the right decisions and it is important to take that time. I would not like to be in a situation where a decision had to be made before the end of the year.

The Cathaoirleach is fully aware, as I am, of the involvement we have had in the mid-west with Aer Lingus in the past. I wish to put on record our appreciation of all the various managers and those involved with the company, including those who left recently. The airline has always been bigger than the staff involved. The whole effort is a combined one where all the workers from the ground handling staff in the various airports to the top management have had an important role to play and, in the main, are responsible for the success of the airline. This was at a time when many airlines in the United States and Europe, such as Italia, which I knew in my dealings with Shannon over 30 years, had severe financial difficulties.

Not only does the success and future development of Aer Lingus have implications for management and staff but it has implications for other airport staff. Any change in the number of flights would have a drastic impact on staff of the airport authorities and the various people who provide services. In making a decision on the airline, one is not only making a decision for the staff, management and passengers of Aer Lingus but also for many others providing services, such as the airport authorities.

The Government should take some time to consider the options fully. There is a general feeling that there is a public service element attached to the national carrier that must be protected. If such an element is to be attached to Aer Lingus in the future the public must pay for it. I have no hesitation in saying, and the Minister alluded to this in his contribution, the Government could invest in Aer Lingus. It should be possible in any new arrangement with Aer Lingus to maintain the public service element. The Government should be prepared to protect this interest without breaching EU regulations.

I am pleased to have had an opportunity to contribute to the debate. I hope the Government will make a firm decision but I am not sure it should make a speedy decision. It should make a decision when it is fully au fait with the position regarding the future of the airline, in particular, the future of the bilateral arrangements.