asked the Minister for Communications his present policy as of October 1986 on the funding of a new Aer Lingus fleet.

I refer the Deputy to my reply on the subject of the Aer Lingus fleet replacement programme on 17 June 1986 (Official Report columns 41-44). Since then, the Government have approved the acquisition by Aer Lingus of two new Boeing 737-300 aircraft which will be introduced on the Dublin-London route in late 1987. The Government have also decided that a detailed study of the Aer Lingus group overall fleet replacement strategy and the associated funding proposals over the coming years should be undertaken and this study is now in progress.

Do I understand from the Minister's reply that he has changed his mind since he announced he would not be in any way in favour of supporting the funding of the renewal of the Aer Lingus fleet?

I have not changed my mind. It is not usual for Deputy Wilson to misrepresent me and, therefore, I take it that what he said was not a deliberate misrepresentation. However, it is a misrepresentation. I said that no option can be ruled out in considering the Aer Lingus fleet replacement needs because of the magnitude of the funds involved, and the associated capital needs of the group in the coming ten years when the national Exchequer was never in a worse position for investing in areas like that. It would be wrong for us to rule out any option that might facilitate the future growth and expansion of Aer Lingus. I am anxious that everybody keeps an open mind on this. I do not have any predetermined views on it.

I am glad to hear it.

I have to keep an open mind on what is best for Aer Lingus and for the country.