David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I strongly support the amendment. The Minister of State would, if he had the freedom, accept these amendments but I believe he is under orders from higher up not do anything about it. That is shameful and I am sorry the Labour Minister of State has to take this on the chin because we are talking about the equitable treatment of people. I have spoken many times on this issue and do not want to be guilty of too much repetition. However, it is difficult to see how anybody could object to the equitable treatment of pensioners. How can a Government stand against that? The Government has intervened disastrously in this matter. It has stuck its nose into the affairs of a limited company and intervened against the interests of the employees. Aer Lingus is a profitable company. How can a profitable company absolve itself of its responsibility towards long-term employees who generated its profits? This is terribly shocking. It brings back the worst of previous catastrophes such as the Irish Shipping situation. We never thought we would see that again. I thought the Irish Shipping people were treated disgracefully and I marched alongside them. It is a real blot on the record of this Government that it should sustain the ill-treatment of pensioners in Aer Lingus. I support both of these amendments and will be voting in favour of them. If the Minister of State was sitting on this side of the House, I know he would be one of the first through the lobbies to vote for their acceptance. I sympathise with the Minister of State but I call shame on the Government.