Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I congratulate Senator Cannon on his election and I wish him well in his endeavours.

I echo the calls of Senators Fitzgerald and Regan on the Leader to clarify the record to show that we in Fine Gael are extremely pro-active with regard to the Lisbon treaty. I have been canvassing door to door for the past two weeks with Colm Burke, MEP. As Senator Norris stated, there is a great chance the Lisbon treaty will be defeated; it is not a fairytale. It is a reality resulting from the arrogance of the Government which has done very little to promote the treaty. It is incumbent on the Government to lead the challenge and join us on this side of the House in promoting the Lisbon treaty. I appeal to farmers not to vote "No" to the Lisbon treaty to get at the Government in respect of the WTO talks because they are a separate issue and the treaty will reduce the power of Commissioner Mandelson.

I reiterate my appeal to the Leader, for whom I have much time, for a debate on aviation policy for which I have called on four occasions. I call for such a debate in light of the capitulation of the Government, aided by Senator Boyle and his party, in regard to the alleviation of the Cork Airport debt. A debt of €130 million has been levied on Cork Airport by the Government which includes Senator Boyle's party.

The Minister for Transport has not addressed this House on the issue. I put down an Adjournment matter on the issue but he did not come to the House nor did he turn up in Cork yesterday. He has treated the people of Cork badly and the silence of Senator Boyle on the matter belittles the statements he made on Cork Airport while in Opposition. I call on the Leader to arrange a debate on the Government's aviation policy as a matter of urgency because the people of Cork have been let down badly by the Government.