Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Taxpayers may be regarded as consumers. The Minister might change his opinion if he tried to get a new telephone line or to have a telephone pole removed. The bottom line is that the service to taxpayers and consumers has gone rapidly downhill since privatisation.

I remind Senator Wilson that Fine Gael's record is proud in this area. As Minister for Transport in the mid-1980s, the late Deputy Jim Mitchell allowed for the development of Ryanair, which has revolutionised air travel. It is cheaper to fly with Aer Lingus now than it was 20 years ago. If the prices Aer Lingus was charging 20 years ago had increased as planned, one would have to pay over €1,000 for a ticket which now costs €100. It is important to record the point.