Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I share the concerns and disappointment of all sides of the House regarding the breakdown of talks last night between the Tánaiste and Mr. Michael O'Leary. I have stated in and outside the House on many occasions that I applaud everything Mr. O'Leary and Ryanair have done to make air travel more accessible. The benefits they have brought to this country have been and continue to be enormous. However, my heart goes out, as I am sure do those of every Member, to the families of those who have been waiting patiently in hope, especially during the past week, that there would be a breakthrough which would restore a significant number of jobs. As perhaps the first Member to have returned to the House from the ranks of the unemployed, I can easily imagine the emotional roller coaster families are experiencing as they watch news programmes waiting to see whether there is any hope of their family member getting back his or her job.

In that context I ask the Leader to say to the Tánaiste or the appropriate authorities that this issue cannot be allowed to be left to one side. I suggest there should be an attempt to schedule what are called "proximity" talks. This has happened in the North-South environment and in many other troubled spots around the world where conflict resolution has taken place. There is obviously a conflict here. I ask the Leader to say to the appropriate authorities that all relevant parties should come together without the glare of publicity. If I have one criticism of Mr. Michael O'Leary it is that he tends to take advantage of the very important position he has in the media.