Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister and the Leader for sharing their time with me. Former Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, once said that the advent of air transport was the single most liberating factor vis-À-vis Ireland in the 20th century. We are talking about elements of a vital strategic interest, although we might feel nostalgic for the old-style Aer Lingus in the same way as we feel nostalgic for Bewley's. A series of crises was overcome and great tribute is due to the Leader who, as Minister, steered Aer Lingus through one of the most difficult crises of all in 2001 against the hostility of Commissioner de Palacio.

There are three strategic interests we must protect. One is the retention of the Heathrow slots. The second is the international links. The third is the maintenance of adequate traffic through Shannon Airport for both industrial and tourism reasons.

I remember, as would the Leader — I was an adviser at the time — a memorandum to Government in the late 1980s, when things were very tight, which nonetheless sought investment in Aer Lingus to buy planes for specific purposes. It was approved.

This should not be approached in an ideological manner. We are talking about a vital strategic interest. The State should be free to invest in it, not to rescue or subsidise a lame duck but to keep a vital and important concern going. We should not approach this with ideological blinkers. If we are able to invest in buses and trains, we should also be able to invest in aircraft. I was very impressed by a representative in the House who comes very much from the free market viewpoint also expressing that point of view.