Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the statement of Mr. David Begg that he does not support the sale of Aer Lingus. I invite other current or recent directors of Aer Lingus to follow his good example. I served with him on the National Economic and Social Council and he always puts the national interest first. I have asked the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to examine the anti-competitive aspect of two airlines which should be competing merging and two airports which should be competing being put under the thumb of one airline.

I welcome the statement yesterday that the Phoenix Park tunnel would be reopened to train traffic early next year. That proposition was put by the House to the then Minister, Deputy Leo Varadkar, who went on a train to sample the route. He did not receive much support at the time from the railway company, but he obviously managed to persuade it. It is appropriate that it leads to the constituency of the current Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe. It links the railway system, whereby next year one will be able to travel from Newbridge to Drogheda, Greystones and Rosslare. It is rather strange that the system was split for 50 years and that we are finally joining it together at a low cost of approximately €10 million. It is a very good project using existing infrastructure.

I wish the Deputies on the Government benches a happy fourth birthday and many happy returns.