Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Like Senator Darragh O'Brien, I would like the Leader to arrange for a debate on the sale of Aer Lingus with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in attendance. Unfortunately, I cannot be here tomorrow, but I would like that debate to go ahead as I am sure my views will be articulated by my colleagues on this and the other side of the House. I agree with Senator O'Brien that something will have to be done for the Aer Lingus pensioners and deferred pensioners. I suggest that a portion of the proceeds of the sale be used to provide for them.

I am not convinced about the reassurance with respect to the 1% golden share. I confess I have not gone through the detail of the report which was provided to the library, but I will read it. Any sale of Aer Lingus would have significant implications for my constituents in County Clare. I would love to know how many of the 600 new jobs committed to by 2020 will be in Shannon. I welcome the fact that there is a seven-year commitment to retain the Heathrow slots. I do not know in the long term if any golden share could prevent the sale of slots were there to be a worldwide economic recession in the aviation industry and a company's existence was dependent on restructuring, part of which would involve the sale of slots. I remain to be convinced of how powerful any 1% or one golden share would be in those circumstances. Further clarity is needed on that. The Minister could provide that clarity if he were to come to the House to debate the matter.

I believe the commitment to retain existing services for five to seven years can be honoured. If IAG, a world conglomerate, makes such a commitment in writing on that, surely to God, unless the sky falls in on it, that commitment can be delivered.

In terms of the company's potential future growth, I would like that spelt out in much more detail. I have heard plenty of comments over the years to the effect that we will explore the possibility and we will enter negotiations with our international aviation partners to explore potential growth, but that does not represent a tangible or real commitment in terms of growth - it only represents potential growth. The only tangible, real commitment is that IAG will retain the existing winter and summer services in Shannon. That is a very welcome development, because we have seen a 30% increase in traffic.