Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Senator for his points. He articulates the need for a vision for the development of aviation. There is a vision and the fruits of its delivery are clear in the extraordinary access the country has managed to deliver in recent years. This did not happen by chance. It happened because the Government, in particular, prioritised access. This prioritisation has underpinned decisions such as on the reduction of the airport travel tax to zero.

The Senator used the language of giving up on Aer Lingus. I have to emphasise a point to the House. We are aware of it, but sometimes it is not given the prominence it deserves. We no longer own all of Aer Lingus. We own just over one quarter of the company. It is not a State-owned national airline. We have a minority stake in it. On the arguments the Senator made about the merits of national ownership, we need to take on board the point that just under 75% of the company was sold. On the further points the Senator made about leaks and indications as to where the Government is going, I assure him that we are weighing up very carefully how we intend to handle this matter. No decision has been made on that and I am not in the business of briefing other people about my thinking on it in advance of briefing the Cabinet, let alone the Houses of the Oireachtas. When we make the decision on that matter I will have to take it to my Cabinet colleagues, and there will be debate on it in the Dáil and the Seanad.

I will conclude on a particular matter. The Senator made a very important point about the maintenance of our regional airports and regional access. I am the Minister who made the decision to retain public service obligation, PSO, funding for Donegal and Kerry airports. I did that for policy-based reasons. This is the Government that has found ways to develop access into Shannon Airport and continues to invest a huge amount of time and energy in how we support Cork Airport, and Shannon Airport also. I recognise those airports have particular needs. I realise also that the access they have built up is an incredibly important contributor to the development not only of tourism across our island but also in creating an environment in which we can attract international investment to our country and where Irish companies can sell their goods and services abroad. That need has been evident in decisions I made with regard to other airports since I came into office, and it will continue to be paramount in the way I review this proposed bid.