I also join in the call for a full, open and frank debate on the sale of Aer Lingus in advance of any decision being taken. Irish people have a huge attachment to brand Aer Lingus which has served us well since its establishment many decades ago. It has flown many of us to many corners of the world and we need to tread very carefully before we make a final decision. A significant number of jobs in Dublin, Shannon and Cork are linked with a possible sale. The issue of connectivity has been well addressed. The value of the Heathrow Airport slots cannot be underestimated and I presume this is what makes the company particularly attractive to new pursuers. Before any decision is taken, this House should have a full, frank and open debate on the matter. While we do not have a controlling interest in the company, we still have a very significant shareholding. Many of us would have preferred if all those years ago a decision to sell had not been taken, but, as the saying goes, we are where we are. Let us hope that whatever decision is taken is very much in the best interests of the country.

I also wish the incoming Greek Government well, as it has a major job of work to do. We all want to see stability in Greece and throughout Europe. We also want to see job creation. Greece has a huge issue with unemployment, with 25% of the population unemployed, a 50% youth unemployment figure and huge debt issues. It is in all of our interests, therefore, that the Greek Government succeeds. The issue of debt will be centre stage in the coming weeks and months. Like Senator Craughwell and others, I would like to see the issue of debt and quantitative easing discussed in the House during the coming weeks in order that we will all be better informed. Quantitative easing is a difficult issue for many of us to understand and having an opportunity to engage in a good debate with experts would be of great benefit to all Members of the House.

I am delighted that there is general consensus across the House about the potential sale of Aer Lingus. The question I have concerns the advantage there would be in selling the 25.1% stake in Aer Lingus. I do not see many advantages. The key element is not the value of €300 million that we would reap for the State, which, let us face it, is very little. The Minister for Finance said that in the last quarter he had taken in €1 billion more in taxes than he had expected; therefore, it is nice to hear that we are on the up. Unless it was very convincing, I would not see the raising of €300 million as a very god reason to sell, given the key issue of connectivity, not just with Dublin but also with the regions, particularly the west and the south west.

Up and down the west coast there are families with a member who commutes to London every week and uses these flights. They work in London and rear their families in Ireland. That connectivity is worth gold, which is why IAG wants the slots. It is stunning to see that Aer Lingus is the fourth busiest airline at Heathrow Airport. Any deal contemplated by the Government must guarantee the retention of these slots and connectivity with the regions, not a reduction of flights. I heard an analyst speak yesterday about Cork and Shannon airports and he said it was quite reasonable that they get rid of a few flights. He seemed to know something about it. Therefore, let us have that debate. I am delighted that the Government is thinking long and hard about this issue.

I support the reasonable call made for a debt conference when every aspect of our debt would be examined. Is it not a practical proposal? I was struck by what Senator Sean D. Barrett said that if we were to examine every aspect of our debt, we would at least see that while 50% of it was our fault, the other 50% was definitely attributable to the European side. We must never forget that the Irish saved the European banking system. It is a valid call and it would be wise to have such a debate. Perhaps the Greek elections have caused the matter to be raised again, but we need it for ourselves as part of the European project.