Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Will the Acting Leader give consideration to finding time in the near future for a debate on the possibility that Britain will leave the Common Market? Britain is planning to have an election and hold a referendum to leave the Common Market. While it may be nothing to do with us, it appears as though it has a lot to do with us. It is a threat to the economy. Senator Mary Moran mentioned passports, but it would also be a threat were people obliged to have a passport to travel from Dundalk to Newry in the future. This is a matter Members should be discussing before the British make that decision. We have a common travel area with the rest of Europe to which we have become used since 1 January 1973. I did not think we valued it to that extent until we suddenly believed it might be threatened or threaten our way of life. This is an issue on which we should not wait until the last minute. Consequently, I ask the Acting Leader to give some attention to how this issue should be handled. Can Members at least have a debate on it? This House is the ideal place in which to have a debate and I am sure there will be debate on it at the Joint Committee on European Affairs also. However, Members should not wait until the referendum takes place; they should ensure the debate happens now.

Following on from the point made by Senator Ned O'Sullivan about Aer Lingus, this House has the benefit of people like Senator Sean D. Barrett who has expressed himself cogently at the Joint Committee on Transport and Communications. However, the debate is not happening other than there; this House should have a debate on Aer Lingus. To the best of my knowledge, there is only one bidder. In the case of anybody who is selling something where there is only one bidder, regardless of whether it is a house, a business or anything else, one must make sure one is getting the best price or that, if one turns down that offer, it will not be a lower price at a later stage.