Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I know, but it would reflect the will of Parliament. I hope the Government might at least consider this.

I will raise again a point I made yesterday. As I said, 24 hours is a long time in politics. I mentioned that I did not want to get into a row with Mr. Michael O'Leary and I still do not want to do so, but in the past 24 hours we have seen the European Union and Ireland and the United Kingdom individually ban for the moment the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. They are banned not only from landing at or taking off from airports in these jurisdictions but also from flying through their airspace. Approximately 350 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft have been delivered, but orders have been placed for more than 5,000, including 135 for Ryanair, with the option to buy another 70. Ryanair is due to take delivery of the aircraft in April and May. It is important to recognise that Ryanair has an outstanding safety record, as does Aer Lingus. Ryanair has never been involved in an incident involving fatalities. It provides an absolutely fantastic service, but all of the people who use it regularly, including me, would probably prefer not to fly in these aircraft until the investigations have concluded. Whatever glitch in the software or other issue caused aircraft only a few months old to be involved in very similar incidents just after take-off needs to be reflected on. Mr. O'Leary has said he has not yet changed his plans, but it is important that he take on board the concerns of the entire world's aviation sector, particularly those involved in it in Europe, Asia and other areas which have banned the aircraft. For the continued safety and comfort of all of the passengers who fly with Ryanair, he might postpone taking delivery of the new aircraft until the problems have been clarified, explained and sorted out.