Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State and welcome this section. With regard to amendment No. 4, can the Minister of State say if it is retrospective legislation? Does this make everything retrospective back to 2004? On amendments Nos. 7 and 9, does the power to detain or stop people from boarding also extend to the other 34 countries? Have other countries and airlines the same powers as we are putting in place by means of this legislation, or will they be taking initiatives to put such powers in place?

Yesterday, the Minister for Transport said Aer Lingus could be privatised by means of a public flotation later on in the year. I hoped this evening would provide an ideal opportunity for the Minister of State to comment here, rather than outside the House, as to how he views progress on the privatisation of Aer Lingus or the additional funds going towards it.