Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I join Senator Boyle in asking the Leader to have an urgent debate on the Government's aviation policy. I do so conscious of the fact that I have raised the need for the Government to make a decision on Cork Airport Authority's debt on an Adjournment matter and the Order of Business. Unlike Senators Boyle and McCarthy, I believe it is ridiculous that there has been a complete Government U-turn this morning in the wake of the appointment of a mediator, Mr. Peter Cassells. I do not welcome his involvement in the process because it suggests a complete U-turn that will affect the people of Cork and the board of Cork Airport Authority. A clear commitment was made by the Government to have a debt-free airport in Cork but it has been reneged upon. It is not good enough. The people of Cork are being treated like second-class citizens. I challenge Members opposite, in particular the Cork Members, to stand up for the people of Cork. It is not good enough to come into the House and pay lip-service. I call for a debate because the rainbow warriors on the benches opposite have yet again let down the people of Cork.