Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I echo the Leader’s sentiments about the sad loss in California of five young Irish people. I also note the President issued a statement from Italy on it and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade has expressed his regrets and is assisting the relatives.

I welcome the Taoiseach’s announcement yesterday that the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Deputy Heather Humphreys, will be meeting the trustees of the Beit collection regarding its financial difficulties with Russborough House and its paintings. Alfred and Clementine Beit were honoured by the former President, Mary Robinson, as honorary citizens of Ireland on the nomination of the current President, Michael D. Higgins, when he was Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht. They were most generous in their lives with presentations to the Irish people. I hope this matter can be resolved.

I regret strongly the ultimatum issued by the UK Competition and Markets Authority to Ryanair to sell its shareholding in Aer Lingus down from 30% to 5% and to do so by Thursday. This is an appalling intrusion into the internal affairs of two Irish companies by the United Kingdom. It is unjustified. I have done as much as anybody in this House to promote better relations between the two countries. This, however, is neocolonialism. It is a unilateral UK decision without apparent reference to either the Irish or EU competition authorities. Can I remind the United Kingdom authorities that Ryanair operates in 31 countries and Aer Lingus in 28? The Competition and Markets Authority should immediately withdraw its ultimatum. It is an affront to this independent jurisdiction that it should seek to impose extra-territoriality. Its decision is based on an entirely false premise that allowing Aer Lingus to be entirely owned by British Airways would not be a threat to competition, whereas Ryanair's 30% shareholding in the company is a threat to competition. The UK authorities are wrong in both instances. Ryanair has promoted European integration like no other airline ever did. British Airways, on the other hand, was part of a cartel that made it impossible for Europeans to fly around. The bureaucracy in the United Kingdom will be shown to be out of control if this ultimatum is not withdrawn by Thursday.