Martin Mansergh (Fianna Fail)

I thank the drivers and staff of Bus Éireann and other bus companies for providing at least some public transport to the south and west, which I availed of when returning from a celebration in the Mansion House on Sunday night. In this year's public capital programme, €427 million is being invested in CIE and the public wants the rolling stock at Limerick Junction, which has been travelling back and forth to Cork on trial runs, to be put into service.

Representatives of Aer Lingus unions approached me outside the Mansion House to argue strongly against any privatisation of the airline. It is difficult to sustain that sort of argument when wildcat strikes take place in other public services. Similar strikes do not occur in the private sector because they would cause the employer to close. While I hope the issue will be resolved as soon as possible, we should hold a debate on it because, as Senator O'Toole noted, the strike is entirely contrary to the spirit and letter of partnership.