Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

Senator Burke raised this when I last spoke in this House on the issue. Senator Wilson was in contact with me this morning on the subject of the amendments to ask exactly where we were in the process. I hope the House will appreciate that I do not want to pre-empt how we enter the process.

The Bill will provide the backdrop to the consultation process. I hear what Senator Burke has said and am aware of other similar issues that have been brought to my attention. I will ask my officials to enter into those consultations with an open mind in the context of the Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) Bill 2005 and report to me as quickly as possible. I am not in a position to give any guarantees today. It would be wrong to do so as I do not wish my officials to go into consultations with one hand tied. We should approach the consultations in an open and transparent fashion and my officials will keep Senators Burke and Wilson briefed as far as possible. Should amendments be tabled I will keep the Seanad informed on how we proceed.