Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are all shocked by last night’s “Prime Time” programme. It will be very hard to consider anything else while that is clearly in our minds. It is a reminder of what responsibilities we have. Senator Zappone has just touched on the legislation that we pass here, whether it is to protect whistleblowers or stop the actions we saw on last night’s programme. We must consider the importance of this House and ensuring it represents the whole country. Senator Zappone is quite correct in stating there are areas in which we can make changes. Whatever happens in Seanad reform, that is one of the changes that should take place.

Another Bill passed comparatively recently amalgamated the Competition Authority and the National Consumer Agency to form the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission. It just issued an extensive report on how customer service is handled. It was interesting to note how bad we are at it. A large number of people have been let down in this regard with the estimated cost to consumers coming to €500 million a year. Will we have an opportunity to consider this report at some point? It does show that when we pass legislation, it gets things done, whether it is customer service. Ireland has an opportunity to establish a name for customer service worldwide.

On Senator Darragh O’Brien’s earlier reference to the pension challenge in Aer Lingus, I hope there is a recognition of the problem we had in Waterford Crystal, which has been resolved in the past several days. A large number of people have worked all their lives in Aer Lingus. It is disgraceful a decision may be made today which may take away part of their pensions for which they have worked and contributed to over the years. Since the Government and the people are the main shareholders in Aer Lingus, let us hope today’s meeting does the right thing.