Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

I inform the House that at the successful Labour Party conference at the weekend we unanimously passed a motion to show solidarity with the workers in the Quinn Group based in counties Cavan, Monaghan, Louth and Meath. I welcome to the Visitors Gallery Councillor Shane O' Reilly who has done much work in recent weeks with the group.

On the air transport issue which seems to have been resolved, we need to learn lessons from what happened. It strikes me that the safety guidelines issued last week were not fit for purpose. As a result, businesses have lost many millions of euro, while individuals are out of pocket to the tune of thousands of euro in some instances. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Dempsey, needs to give a lead. As an island nation, we are completely cut off, unlike every other country in Europe - the British have got the Channel tunnel. I want the Minister to call in representatives of the airlines. Reports in the past 24 hours that airlines are querying their roles and responsibilities when it comes to consumer rights are worrying, as the law is clear in this regard. It is up to the Minister to call in representatives of the airlines to state he will not tolerate attempts to deny passengers their rights and entitlements.