Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Most of the spokespersons on this subject have changed, as have the relevant Ministers. As Senator Finucane said, the recent Government announcement was game, set and match to Fianna Fáil. The Progressive Democrats, passengers and taxpayers were definite losers. In years to come, we will look back on this time as a missed opportunity. I have often been asked why Baldonnel was not considered as a second airport. People from Carlow would welcome this as they would not have to cross the city. Why is everyone forced to use Dublin Airport? Most capitals have two airports.

I welcome the decision to sell the majority shareholding in a firm which will realise important capital. However, we should look carefully at the lessons to be learned from the Eircom privatisation debacle, when taxpayers got a bad deal. Similarly, taxpayers and farmers got a bad deal when Greencore was privatised.