Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I note the negotiation by the UK Secretary of State for Health, Mr. Jeremy Hunt, on an agreement on a meningitis B vaccine with GlaxoSmithKline which acquired the vaccine just three weeks ago. Will the Leader suggest to the Minister for Health that its use be considered in this jurisdiction? We have one of the highest rates of meningitis in Europe and the arrangement has been welcomed by Mr. Jim Wells, the Norther Ireland health Minister. There may be an opportunity to tackle a disease which causes such distress and death for small children and their families.

I note the measures today from the seven universities in the State to attract more students from Northern Ireland. Education in the cause of the peace process is always something to be supported and commended.

It is a tribute to the debates we have had on the Order of Business in this House that today we see that 54% of people would vote "No" to any acquisition of Aer Lingus by British Airways or International Airlines Group, IAG, while only 24% would vote "Yes". Of the people who would vote "No", 50% of Fine Gael voters would vote in such a way, 54% of Labour Party voters and 58% of Independent Member voters. Some 62% of Sinn Féin voters would vote against such a deal, with 66% of Fianna Fáil voters. Today marks the opening of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute in Boston. Last evening the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Charles Flanagan, paid tribute to Mr. Edward Kennedy. With former President Carter and Professor Alfred Kahn, he had made airlines in the United States compete when they wanted to collude. That is an example we might follow in this jurisdiction. Now that we know that approximately 700,000 people watch the Oireachtas TV channel, we know that debates on the Order of Business have helped to shift public opinion away from a very strong campaign in favour of acquisition. I thank the Leader and the Cathaoirleach for this. It will the subject of a Commencement Matter tomorrow. Taking account of the plan for aviation on outer offshore islands, it is very important that we make airlines compete when they want to collude.