Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise a general issue that has arisen in the context of lobbying in the last week. The Minister has spoken at length and correctly about the establishment of procedures and structures when assets like the national lottery and Bord Gáis Éireann are sold. We welcome that and feel it is very necessary. When I was looking at this week's newspaper reports about the possible sale of shares in Aer Lingus, I read phrases like "charm offensive" and learned that contacts are taking place at all levels of government. I know the Minister has set up a group in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and that is fair enough.