Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

If the Minister thinks any of these allegedly cast-iron guarantees are going to stand up in the commercial operation of a future Aer Lingus, that is complete nonsense. No one has even explained how the B share will work in reality. The Minister for Finance says there is no veto and the Taoiseach says there is. It is an absolute farce and a mess, brought to us by the Government that created Irish Water. Why should I trust this Government in anything it does?

I know Aer Lingus and the people who work there who have given their life's work to turn the airline around. I know why the 25.1% stake was kept; it was to make sure Ireland's interests are protected. Fine Gael and the Labour Party are selling our interests cheaply and they will regret it. I have debated with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, on numerous occasions what he has done to the company and the pension scheme. He, his predecessor, Deputy Varadkar, and the Tánaiste, Deputy Burton, will be remembered for doing this, and not favourably.

We have talked about Dublin but what about Shannon and Cork? There are no guarantees there. There is practically nothing. They have been left swinging in the wind as they do not matter. It is an awful shame that the Minister is not here to listen to the views of the Seanad. I endeavour to represent the views of those who have been in contact with me, namely, the employees of the company who I know and people in many different roles in the company. Those who have been suffering the brunt of this since 1 January are the 15,000 people in the IAAS scheme. The Government's decision today will have an impact on the company, the airport and all the other companies and people who work in that airport. This is a cheap sale. After its acquiescence in this decision, the Labour Party has proven it has no role in the Government, certainly not in economics. It has rolled over again and it is shameful.