Shane Ross (Independent)

I thank you, a Chathaoirligh. I hope the Minister will not simply outline another catalogue of delays. It is staggering how long it has taken to make a simple decision about the second terminal at Dublin Airport. Senator Dooley spoke about the process being expeditious, ongoing, consultative and used all sorts of other words to describe it. He failed to point out that the real problem for the Government is sitting behind him in the person of Senator Morrissey. This is a defining issue for the Government. While it will not fall on the issue, deep ideological disagreements on the matter exist between the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, and between the two parties. They are paralysed. One wants to go hell for leather and place the second terminal in private hands and the other wants to do what Jack O'Connor and David Begg tell him to do. Those two objectives are absolutely irreconcilable, resulting in paralysis and delay. In the meantime, as pointed out by Senators Brian Hayes and Paddy Burke, we have unacceptable delays at Dublin Airport. We had a crisis with security last week, which was a direct result of the malaise and the kind of culture that exists in Dublin Airport at the moment.

I see no great hope of a decision on the matter. I can see the motivation. The Taoiseach wants this problem not to be resolved or certainly not to cause any more trouble before the next general election. All that matters to the Taoiseach are the half-dozen or so Fianna Fáil seats in north Dublin, which are dictating the fate of Dublin Airport. Otherwise what is happening would be inexcusable. Any excuses about the various decisions of the stakeholders and the consultation required are complete and utter rubbish. Senator Dooley may remember a Taoiseach from his party not long ago, Mr. Charles Haughey.