I was planning to congratulate the Leader on arranging the debate on Aer Lingus because it was not planned yesterday but we were told one was scheduled late last evening. However, having listened to Senators Darragh O'Brien and Thomas Byrne today, it does not make sense to have a debate at 5 p.m. after the Dáil has made its decision, nor does it make sense because, as Senator Thomas Byrne said, Senator Sean D. Barrett will not be in the House before the decision is made. We are very fortunate Senator Sean D. Barrett, the foremost transport economist in the country, is a Member of the House, but he is tied up at the banking inquiry today. I urge the Leader to find time to accept Senator Darragh O’Brien’s amendment. We should have that debate immediately after the Order of Business, which will give us time to do all the other jobs we have to do.

The news today that Ireland has slipped back to sixteenth place in the competition league is bad. The Taoiseach wants Ireland to be the best small country in the world in which to do business and yet we have slipped to sixteenth place in the world. If we are to achieve what we must achieve, we can do that but with a Government policy, commitment and dedication to removing the barriers to competitiveness so that we can become more competitive in the future.