Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

We had a debate in this House on Aer Lingus some time ago. During that debate we were promised that a decision would be made prior to Christmas when the sub-committee had concluded its deliberations and made a decision on the future of the company. We now understand this decision has been deferred, possibly to the end of the January. If procrastination means anything, what is happening is certainly not good for Aer Lingus. The Minister has a most responsible position. I am sure the type of publicity surrounding this issue is not helpful to him in making decisions. I welcome the Taoiseach's decision at long last to ask a senior retired public servant to investigate this issue, in respect of which information is being drip-fed on an ongoing basis. That is damaging to politics.

I ask Members to contrast this situation with that in the UK reported in this morning's newspapers where a Cabinet Minister has resigned because he fast-tracked a visa application for a nanny. I want Members to contrast that situation with what is emerging here, given that the proposed €2,000 refund is equivalent to three days pay for a private adviser.