Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the Tánaiste on her interview this morning on Newstalk. She very firmly put back in their places yet again rumours from the two airlines that Aer Lingus was about to be taken over by British Airways. It was announced in a Sunday newspaper that the Minister for Finance, Deputy Michael Noonan, and the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, had "signed off on the deal". The Tánaiste clarified the position most skilfully. This has been a tactic of the airlines concerned, their PR departments and stockbrokers. Ever since the controversy arose, they have been leaking to a susceptible journalist from time to time the story that the arrangement was a done deal. Why have we allowed a UK quango to intervene in a relationship between two Irish airlines? Why is it not mentioned every time there is a proposed anti-competitive merger in the European aviation sector, which this would be, slots would have to be divested at hubs such as Heathrow Airport and not protected, as the proponents of the deal say would be the case? Why is the consumer interest not taken into account? Why are we not recognising that British Airways has a track record of never serving regions? It offers no north Atlantic services from Scotland. The Scots might have something to say about this and other matters on Thursday. There are no such services from Manchester which has a population of 15 million or from Birmingham which has a population of 11 million. There are so many unsavoury aspects to this deal. For the Tánaiste to take a stand against it and seek proper evaluation is correct. Members will recall the announcement one Sunday morning that the trade unions were in favour of the deal. I believe Ingrid Miley’s phone nearly went into meltdown as people rang to say, “No, we have not agreed.” It is about time some respect was shown for Parliament by those promoting the merger which should be discussed here. Hiding behind Irish Stock Exchange takeover rules is not acceptable. I commend the Tánaiste for what she said this morning.