Feargal Quinn (Independent)

As we listened to the radio and read the newspapers this morning, we were all concerned about events at Aer Lingus. According to the airline, it needs to employ fewer staff, is running short of cash and needs to eat into its cash reserves. The similarity between Aer Lingus and the nation is such that the same words could be used. We have a serious problem. Yesterday Senator Alex White asked for a debate on the McCarthy report and the report of the Commission on Taxation. It seems Aer Lingus is the evidence of what is occurring in the State. We are running short of cash and must eat into our cash reserves, as we are losing money every week. We must do something about the matter. Aer Lingus's solution is to employ fewer staff. Given the similarity, the House is the place in which to hold a debate on the issue. We should not wait until the Government makes its decisions.

I was impressed to read that Ireland is ranked the fifth best place to live in the world on a number of different measurements, one of which is length of life. A child born now is likely to live 79.7 years. In Niger and some other countries in the world life expectancy is less than 50 years. We have a great deal to be thankful for here but we have the responsibility of maintaining that standard. We have the responsibility also of helping the Third World but we cannot do that unless we get our economy right and manage to identify the solutions.

I want to make one other point which Senator O'Toole has made in the past. Last Sunday week an election took place in Germany yet our referenda and elections take place on a day when the schools have to be closed. It would be logical for us to decide in future to hold our elections on a Saturday or a Sunday, as is done elsewhere. Keeping the schools open would ensure we achieve democracy as well as education.