Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Even with 25.1% we do not control Aer Lingus, but our chances of retaining that connection will be considerably reduced if the 25.1% is sold. Following the sale of Irish Sugar to Greencore, the country lost its sugar quota and an entire industry disappeared. I hope that the same will not happen in terms of Aer Lingus.

I wish to raise a further matter of concern to me, namely, the provision of funding for local authorities where children with intellectual or physical disabilities are living in local authority housing. In Cork, 47 families are waiting for houses to be adapted to accommodate their children. Some have been waiting since 2008. No funding has been provided to the local authority. A further 30 families need changes to be made to their houses if their children are to continue living at home. When parents work 24/7 to look after their children, it is wrong that they do not get the support and accommodation they need and is otherwise only available in full-time care centres. The parents are providing the care, so we should be able to fund facilities for them in their own homes. We should debate this matter. The issue should be given priority, particularly in light of how little funding has been provided in the past six years. I request an early debate on the matter with the Minister.