Gerry Horkan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Acting Leader for outlining the business. The ambassador has gone at this stage but equally, I wish her and all the people from Luxembourg a very happy national day. Senator Mullen was making a pitch for a gift from the ambassador. I am actually wearing a gift from the ambassador. It is the tie of the Luxembourg European Presidency from a number of years ago. I will not, therefore, make a pitch for any other gifts today.

In the week that is in it, I want to pay tribute to Deputy Eamon Ryan, who is stepping down as leader of the Green Party. Before he became the TD for Dublin Bay South, he was actually the TD for the old constituency of Dublin South where I lived for the period of 2002 to 2011. Therefore, I have the unusual status, like all the people in Dublin Rathdown, of the current leader and current deputy leader both having been TDs from my area. I wish both of them well because I understand that Deputy Catherine Martin is stepping down as deputy leader in the next term.

I am very conscious of the fact that the Acting Leader is from County Clare, which has the wonderful Shannon Airport. Indeed, the Cathaoirleach is from County Cork with the wonderful Cork Airport. However, we might schedule a debate about the Dublin Airport cap and where it is going. We are going to get very close to the 32 million cap. It is hindering the growth of Dublin and Irish aviation generally. While some traffic certainly can be moved and should be directed to go to Shannon and Cork, lots of airlines want to fly into Dublin and they are being precluded, effectively, by this cap. I would, therefore, like the Acting Leader to arrange a debate on that with the Minister for Transport.

Finally, I urge all sides to engage in the debate on Aer Lingus because a strike is good for nobody. It is not good for the staff or the airline. Most importantly, however, it is not good for the passengers and the travelling public, both inbound tourists coming to Ireland and, indeed, Irish people going on business trips and holidays having perhaps paid out lots of money on accommodation and so on. It is important that we try to urge every side to come to a resolution that does not involve the need for strike action.