Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I am sure the Leader will agree it is not acceptable for someone in her position either, and certainly not acceptable as far as we are concerned.

After months and even years spent deliberating on aviation policy, we obviously had one formulated yesterday. At least as many questions remain unanswered. We are obviously to have more consultants employed to advise on the sale of Aer Lingus, and the Government still does not know what shareholding it should have in the company. There is no reference to the slots at Heathrow. The Dublin Airport Authority said it could have the new terminal constructed by 2010 but the Taoiseach is on record as saying it would be completed by 2009. That is typical of the incompetence of the Government parties in making a decision on this issue. If there is a need for a third terminal, something that has been acknowledged, why is a second terminal with too little capacity being given the green light by the Government?

I ask that the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, attend the House to explain this policy to us. When will legislation be introduced? Primary legislation will be necessary to implement the policies advocated by the Government.

I would also like to raise rip-off Ireland and the current rip-off culture. My party has been highlighting the problem for the past few years, and at last the Government is coming around to the idea that we were correct and that the consumer needs fair play. It has now decided it will set up a national consumer agency. The recommendations of the consumer strategy group still fall short and lack the tough approach necessary to end anti-consumer practices. We are now told legislation will not be introduced for another 12 months. We have had the announcement, but we will not have the legislation to provide for the establishment of this national consumer agency for another 12 months, taking us well into 2006. Perhaps we might ask the Minister to attend and explain why there will be such a delay in setting up this national consumer agency.