I learned this afternoon that the three top executives in Aer Lingus have indicated their intention to resign with effect from 1 May 2005. This shock announcement comes one day after the news that the Government's chief executive designate for the Health Service Executive will not take up the position. The three Aer Lingus managers, in association with their workforce, have done a remarkable job in Aer Lingus in recent years, turning it from a loss-making doomed airline to a profitable low cost carrier. Their departure will be a serious blow to the national airline and its credibility and will cause major concern to its staff and customers.

The Government has received the Goldman Sachs report with which a Cabinet sub-committee is dealing. Will the Taoiseach tell the House whether the dithering and confusion that appears to exist among Government circles about the future of Aer Lingus has contributed greatly to this shock announcement of the departure of the chief executive and his two partners, all three of whom were concerned with a proposal for a buy-out of Aer Lingus? Does he consider that the six-month deferral of their resignation has implications for the airline? Has he considered that an alternative carrier may have approached these three executives to bring their experience to it?

I heard yesterday evening that the chief executive, chief operations officer and chief financial officer of Aer Lingus were about to tender their resignations and so the Minister met them this morning. I wish to express my gratitude for the work they have done over the past three years, as I have done two or three weeks in a row. Their work has proved we have a profitable successful airline today, despite the difficulties we know exist in the aviation industry and that could exist for Aer Lingus in future years. All airlines are suffering.

The Minister for Transport will meet the acting chairman, Mr. John Sharman, on Thursday to clarify how quickly the board can move in appointing replacements. Today's developments will not deflect the Government from any of the measures that need to be implemented in Aer Lingus at operational or strategic level. On the operational level, it will be a matter for the board and management to work through the implementation of the business plan by direct engagement with the staff representatives and, where appropriate, with the assistance of the staff industrial relations machinery. I have been clear on this in recent weeks. The Government's obligation is to deal with the several thousand people who work in the Aer Lingus complex. We must protect our interests. I have not supported some of the initiatives brought forward. I assume what I said about the MBO and some of the other issues did not find favour with everybody but I hope that was not a factor in all of this. My view on the MBO has not changed. It should be clear to all that in the airline business, in particular, companies must be continually prepared to adapt to the rapid changes that are now a standard feature of the commercial aviation environment.

Turning to the strategic matters that are the concern of the Government as shareholder and policy maker, the Minister and I have already had a number of discussions in recent weeks to bring clarity to the Government's medium and long-term intentions on the future ownership of Aer Lingus. We know we have to make changes. Management knows that, as do the board, staff and the travelling public. People have seen what is happening with Sabena, Alitalia and many other airlines around the world.

As far as I am concerned, today's events will not deflect the Government from giving its early attention to the ownership issue and to the strategic concerns that arise from that issue. The Minister for Transport and I are aware that, increasingly, the commercial opportunities for Aer Lingus in terms of services between Ireland and the US is an important element of the overall strategic future of the airline. We have been working on a review of the bilateral aviation agreement between Ireland and the US to address this issue. We must seek to secure the best outcome for Aer Lingus, the tourism sector and the Shannon region.

It is time the Taoiseach came clean on all of this. We need a far greater level of truth, openness and clarity from him. Is it not a fact that the entire leadership of Aer Lingus is now leaving? Does this not amount to a serious vote of no confidence in his Government's handling of the future of Aer Lingus, its workers and customers?

When did the Minister for Transport last meet the three executives in question? Did Mr. Willie Walsh and his partners express any dissent or concern to the Minister for Transport and what was the nature, form and extent of that dissent? Did the Minister for Transport attempt to dissuade the three leaders of Aer Lingus from leaving at this time? Will the Minister for Transport give a full and clear statement to this House about the atrocious and appalling conduct of the Government in handling this business?

The Taoiseach said this will not dissuade or deflect the Government from dealing with this matter at an early date. What in the name of heaven does he mean? This issue has been outstanding for the past 18 months and nothing but clouds of confusion, rumour, innuendo and allegations are coming from Members of the Government. An announcement has been made that the leadership of Aer Lingus is leaving which the Taoiseach said will not dissuade or deflect him from dealing with the matter at an early date. Will the Taoiseach give the House the answers to the questions I have asked so that everybody might know exactly where we stand?

I reject outright what Deputy Kenny said. This has probably been Aer Lingus's best ever year. Following its reform programme, its profits this year will be extraordinarily good. We have been working to try and assist Aer Lingus through the aviation difficulties in which it found itself, with the trade union movement and management, including the chief executive, chief operations officer and chief financial officer, and we have been successful in that regard. I accept it is a difficult climate for the aviation industry. The company had to reduce its staff and cost base, open new routes and make fundamental changes to its structures. The company received the approval and support of Government for all of those things and it has achieved an excellent profit.

Deputy Kenny is correct to state that three senior executives are leaving but it was not due to a lack of decision. When Deputies Kenny and Rabbitte asked me in this House about the MBO I said I was not in favour of it. I said I did not think it was good for the health of Aer Lingus. I did not think three members of senior management should be in a position to become wealthy overnight from a State company. I said that, but I did not say it to offend them or so that they would walk away. They came afterwards and said they would not have done it that way and they did not mean to say that. That does not matter. I was opposed to it and if it were today I would be opposed to it as well. Aer Lingus is a State company with a large staff. This is an island where we need to think carefully about our aviation policy.

We said that, months ago.

It is not just a question of privatisation and finding a strategic partner. I praised Aer Lingus management and workers in a reply to Deputy Sargent last week. It is not an easy issue. I accept there will be difficulties down the road.

I cannot answer Deputy Kenny's question about what these gentlemen are going to do. I thank them for their contribution. Two of them came from the ranks and have done a good job. I am sure there are other such people still in the ranks. We know we have to make decisions. We are aware there are difficulties in world aviation. We accept the Shannon stop-over is an issue. We have to come to final decisions on these matters.

Is the Taoiseach not suggesting——

Deputy Kenny should allow the Taoiseach to speak.

It is not just a case of Government policy, we also have to take into account EU aviation policy and the position of the United States. We will address the issue as quickly as possible.

The Minister had a detailed discussion with the three executives today and he also had discussions with them on a number of occasions in recent weeks.