Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Darragh O'Brien's points in relation to the sale of the State's 25.1% share in Aer Lingus. It should not be forgotten that the remaining 74.9% was sold off when Fianna Fáil was in government. Interestingly, yesterday a caller to an RTE radio show blamed this Government for the sale of Eircom.

Senator Darragh O'Brien's party was responsible for the sale of that company.

At the time of the sale of Irish Sugar, now known as Greencore, the Government retained a golden share. When the possibility of surrendering the sugar quota arose, a number of key players put together a package worth €150 million to buy sugar juice from the Mallow factory with a view to keeping it open and retaining employment. However, the Government of the day, which was led by Senator O'Brien's party, decided to surrender the sugar quota, resulting in many job losses in the factory and among growers, harvesters and transport companies. The Government did not use its golden share, which gave it the power to prevent the off-loading of the sugar quota.

I have serious reservations about the sale of the remaining 25.1% State share in Aer Lingus. The issues are jobs, connectivity and the need to retain the advantages that accrue from having access to key locations from Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports. The House should debate the possible sale of Aer Lingus as it is an issue that requires serious consideration.