Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Minister who has been in office for only seven months. He has consulted widely with the stakeholders, listened to all their views and put forward what I and my colleagues in Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats consider to be the best aviation policy this country has seen.

I pay tribute to the Aer Lingus staff and management for all they did to bring the airline through a difficult period to its present position. The management, led by Mr. Willie Walsh, did a good job but Mr. Walsh was wrong to state that the Government had no interest in the airline. He and his colleagues were more interested in attempting to take over the airline for themselves than in serving the interests of the airline or the people.

I also pay tribute to Ryanair, regardless of what we may think of some of the personalities involved in that airline. Today it announced that its profits have risen by 19% to €268.9 million and that its traffic growth has increased by 19% to 27.6 million. I also pay tribute to Aer Arann which makes a significant contribution to the aviation industry, particularly servicing remote areas. The airline recently celebrated reaching 3 million passengers.

I join the Minister in welcoming the new chief executive of Aer Lingus, Mr. Dermot Mannion, and wish him well in his new role. I pay tribute to the Minister who, after seven months of listening, brought this proposal to Cabinet where his colleagues approved it. I wish him and the proposal the best of luck in the future.