I propose to take Questions 370, 381 and 382 together.
The implementation of the cost restructuring plan at Aer Lingus is entirely for the Board, Management and Staff of the company and it is not open to the Government to intervene. The industrial relations machinery of the State remains available to assist the parties where difficulties exist. Indeed, the Labour Relations Commission recently intervened to invite the parties to separate talks on 19th March. Arising from those talks, I understand that IMPACT is to ballot cabin crew members again on the company's cost restructuring plan which the four other groups at the company had voted to accept.
The duties of the three Government appointed directors to the board of Aer Lingus derive from the Companies Acts and, as such, the directors are obliged to pursue the best interests of the company. Subject to that duty, the three Government appointed directors are requested to seek to ensure that all decisions of the company that have significant implications for wider Government, aviation or regional development policies are considered at board level. In any such decisions they are directed to seek to reconcile commercial and public policy objectives.
From an aviation policy perspective, the Government wants to see a financially stable and viable Aer Lingus competing in the Irish air transport market. The cornerstones of Government aviation policy are competitiveness and connectivity. A viable Aer Lingus is key to ensuring the achievement of these objectives. I note that the Question relating to the impact on the Social Insurance Fund is also directed to my colleague, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment, who will address the Question insofar as it relates to her remit. The restructuring of Aer Lingus has no bearing on Transport 21 projections.
