Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I have just heard that the Government intends to bring a special motion before the Dáil on Thursday seeking the permission of the Dáil to proceed with the sale of Aer Lingus although the Dáil is not meeting over the summer months. Will a similar motion be put before this House before the end of session? It would be outrageous if the Government chose to sell this State asset without recourse to this House, given the debates we have had on the matter in recent months. It would highlight the irrelevance of the House if the Government was to proceed in such a way.

When the Leader's colleague, the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, brought the Aer Lingus Bill through the Houses two years ago, he gave an absolute guarantee that before a flotation would take place, the Government would publish in full a detailed assessment of the criteria applying to and reasons for the sale of the asset. He gave a commitment in both Houses that a full, detailed White Paper would be published before such a sale but it has not been done.

We are entering the summer period but there is still confusion. The asset is worth 50% less than it was when Mr. Willie Walsh was in charge of the State airline. It would be highly unusual and wrong for a decision to be taken without recourse to both Houses. The other House will have its chance on Thursday. Will this House have a chance before Friday to debate this important matter?

I was privileged to be in Islandbridge last Saturday for the national celebration of the 90th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. I want to record my appreciation and congratulations to the Departments, whether the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Foreign Affairs or other Departments, which organised that wonderful commemoration of reconciliation for those from all parts of this island who gave their lives for peace in that awful war that emerged in the first part of the last century. We need to learn from that reconciliation. It was an excellent commemoration and all involved should be congratulated.