Aer Lingus as a State industry model

Summary

Higgins asked whether Aer Lingus was a model State industry given its record of jobs and limited State expenditure. The Minister largely agreed, while also praising Aer Rianta; Deasy briefly interjected about Ryanair.

Martin Cullen Mr. Cullen Progressive Democrats

May I ask a supplementary?

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Michael D. Higgins Mr. M. Higgins Labour Party

A Cheann Comhairle——

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Seán Treacy An Ceann Comhairle Independent

I will be glad to entertain Deputy Cullen and Deputy Higgins but can I ask them to be very brief as I want to make some progress on other questions.

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Michael D. Higgins Mr. M. Higgins Labour Party

Would the Minister agree that since they were founded in 1936 and given their total expenditure from the State of £76 million that Aer Lingus, having provided 6,000 well paid jobs, are a model for State industry?

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John P. Wilson Mr. Wilson Fianna Fáil

I would be in almost total agreement with the Deputy. Aer Rianta are also a model and I do not know which of the two models I would choose if I had to make a choice.

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Austin Deasy Mr. Deasy Fine Gael

What about Ryanair?

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