Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That all the airports involved in the operation of the Heathrow slots have welcomed the proposed deal is an indication of the confidence they have in the guarantee. No such guarantee is in place at present. The Government has secured a seven-year guarantee on the slots. It has also been in contact with the European Commission on the legal mechanisms provided and has received indications that the Commission will not oppose any of the guarantees.The guarantees do hold and are written, as Senator Coghlan has mentioned, into the articles of association. Members have sought a debate and I have requested that the Minister come to the House, preferably today rather than tomorrow. He is debating it in the Lower House from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. today, so I have asked that he come to the Seanad when he has finished at 9 p.m.