Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The motion for the sale of the 25.1% share in Aer Lingus is being debated in the other House. It is a financial matter and a financial decision. As Members will be aware, this House does not have a say in financial matters. However, I have agreed that the House would debate the issue, as requested on the Order of Business.

This is a good deal for the taxpayer and a good deal for Aer Lingus and there is no question that this is a good deal for the country. It has been agreed that up to 635 jobs will be created by 2020, with 150 new jobs next year. There are plans for four new transatlantic services. As has been stated, the guarantees hold as they are written into the articles of association. A seven-year guarantee has been given regarding the use of the Heathrow slots as part of the deal and will begin once the transaction is completed. The use of the slots will be defined by the summer and winter schedules. The current frequency of use will be maintained across a seven-year period. This is a significant guarantee. As I mentioned on the Order of Business yesterday, the Government has been in contact with the European Commission regarding the legal mechanisms and the Government has indications that the Commission will not oppose the guarantees.

The fact that all the airports involved in the operation of these slots have welcomed this deal is an indication of the confidence which the airports have in the operation of the guarantee which currently does not exist.

The question of outsourcing and redundancies is a matter for the unions and management. However, I draw the attention of the House to a letter received by Mr. Kavanagh which stated that they will look at the scope of the registered employment agreements and will look to extend the number of employees covered by the REAs.

The Nyras report was mentioned on the Order of Business. This report was commissioned by the chief executive officer of Aer Lingus and it has nothing to do with IAG, no matter what way Fianna Fáil or other parties might paint the picture that the Nyras report is connected to the sale. There is no question of this being part of the sale because this report was commissioned by the CEO of Aer Lingus and this type of exercise is part of the normal course of business in the highly competitive and international airline sector and it would have been commissioned before any talks on a sale. Any airline would commission such a report on a regular basis and Aer Lingus is no different in that regard.

It beggars belief that the party which privatised Aer Lingus and bankrupted the State is now trying to play politics with such a great company as Aer Lingus. Over the course of the past few days Fianna Fáil members have, on one hand, praised Aer Lingus management for turning the company around and making it a success while, on the other, claiming that they are determined to sell out the interest and that of workers and customers. They cannot have it both ways but that is the way they operate on the other side of the House; it is a case of on one hand and on the other. They do not know whether they are coming or going with regard to Aer Lingus.

I look forward to listening to measured comments and contributions from all sides of the House. I will relay the contributions to the Minister before any decision is made in the other House. However, it is ultimately the decision of that House and we will have no say on the sale. I will relay the measured comments of Members of the House to the Minister.