Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is relevant. Senator Burke raised the question of retrospection. Even if we had not amended the legislation, things would not change for those who will own the shares in the trust. When we took advice from the Attorney General and the officials in my Department, it was felt this should be written into primary legislation. It provides for the relevant parts of the Aer Lingus Act 2004 to be deemed to have commenced on 19 August of that year, the day before the transfer of the shares to the trust. It will confirm that all those who expect to receive shares in Aer Lingus under the scheme will have their expectations fulfilled in accordance with the agreement reached between the Ministers of Transport and of Finance, along with Aer Lingus and the trade unions. It was the officials in my Department who rightly raised this issue, and we can now convince those who might have had any fears that they should not have any.

There will be another opportunity to discuss Aer Lingus and I do not want to transgress as the Cathaoirleach is not giving me the right to address the issue.