Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I join other Senators in calling for a debate on whether we have confidence in the Minister for Defence, Deputy Willie O'Dea. I would like to hear the Leader's views on whether he believes a crime has been committed under section 62 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and under the Prevention of Electoral Abuse Act.

Many former workers of SR Technics live in my constituency. There are two issues to be addressed in this context, the first of which relates to hangar 6. I would like to see Ryanair, Aer Lingus and the Government meet to discuss at an EGM the issue of whether Aer Lingus should give up its lease on the hangar. Ryanair and the Government have a majority shareholding and I would like to see them direct Aer Lingus to give it up. Aer Lingus has a moral responsibility to former employees of SR Technics to take them off the dole and ensure every job that can be created is created. Many SR Technics workers are trying to re-skill and going back to college to retrain as engineers. It is proposed to have an engineering course at the Dublin Institute of Technology. Over 60 former employees have signed up but they are waiting for EU globalisation funds. The Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Mary Coughlan, knows about this. All she has to do is put a guarantee in place until the funds are released. If she does not do so, the course will not be offered and the 63 people who have signed up will not be able to start. Will the Leader telephone the Minister today to ask her to put a guarantee in place in order that the people will have some hope?