James Heffernan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join my colleagues in calling for that debate on the sale of Aer Lingus. It should probably have happened yesterday, but I support calls for that debate to happen tomorrow. The justification for many decisions in this country seems to be that it makes good economic sense and a few bob can be made out of it. That is not a good enough reason for many decisions.

I was interested to see a debate that happened this morning, one year on from the implementation of the amalgamation of Limerick county and city councils, and how that has affected people. It really came to my attention last Monday night, when I attended a public meeting behind in Shanagolden to do with a proposed gasification plant on the site of the old Gortadroma landfill. That project is of major significance to the area. It has the potential to have knock-on effects on human health, animal health and the valuation of property and land in the area. That project was supported at municipal district level by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Independent Fianna Fáil and no debate whatsoever took place at county council level on such a significant plant. In fact, the disposal notice, which was signed on Monday, before the communities could have any input into something that will have a massive effect on-----