Shane Ross (Independent)

We have an ideal opportunity to ask the Minister for Transport to attend the House to inform us why he has appointed the new chairman of the road safety authority. It would be wrong if we were not allowed to debate an appointment of such extraordinary importance. I do not share the otherwise unanimous view of this House that it should be welcomed without question. It is an ideal opportunity for the House to show its worth by asking questions of the Minister about why Mr. Byrne was appointed and what qualifications he has.

I take on board what Senator White stated and agree that we could also have a debate on ageism. If those to whom problems are addressed, in this case the young people who are the main culprits and offenders in road accidents, do not identify with the people appointed to administer and regulate those problems, we may have made a wrong appointment.

Anyone reading three of this morning's newspapers will see a photograph on the front pages of the Minister for Transport and Mr. Gay Byrne. Certain people get a great political advantage for a day in making appointments of high-profile people who are charismatic on television. However, it may not necessarily be more than a gimmick in terms of the good of the nation. We should seriously debate the matter. It is an extremely serious problem.

As the Leader will ask the Minister to come to the House to explain the appointment, she should take the opportunity to also ask him to debate the issue of Aer Lingus with us.