I thank the Deputy very much. The next slot is the Government's and I call the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, who has five minutes.

I welcome the opportunity to contribute to this debate on the related sectors of tourism and aviation. Both sectors are of critical importance to County Clare, the mid-west region and the entire western seaboard. I have just come from a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications at which we formally approved the appointment of Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh as chairman of the board of the Shannon Group. There is a groundswell of support for Mr. Ó Céidigh as he takes on this new role and there …

I do not believe Deputy Mattie McGrath will be here. He rang me to say he would not be here.

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important matter for debate. Many Members will have heard the episode of RTÉ's "Documentary on One" over the weekend entitled "Fire in the Sky". The programme was brilliantly produced by Donal O'Herlihy and Michael Lawless and featured the former President of Ireland, Dr. Mary McAleese. Ms Mary Kingston, whose husband, Tim Kingston, died was one of the contributors, as was her son, Michael Kingston, who was just four years old when his dad was lost in atrocious circums…

The Minister of State will be aware of the work of the Committee on Transport and Communications concerning the marine casualty investigation board following the Court of Justice of the European Union judgment against Ireland for failing to implement international maritime regulations, which came, incredibly, 41 years after the disaster's appalling regulatory framework failings. Over the past year our committee has heard compelling evidence from expert witnesses, including Mr. Michael Kingston, of fundamental ongoi…

I warmly welcome the appointment of Mr. Pádraig Ó Céidigh as chairperson of the Shannon Group He is a man of real substance and has a proven track record in business. He is also a proud west of Ireland man who knows the importance of balanced regional development. In addition, he has a deep understanding of aviation and how it works. I am looking forward to working with Mr. Ó Céidigh in the time ahead. Aviation is of critical importance for an island nation so it is important that the Government continues to suppor…

I am pleased to speak in favour of the Bill, which will lead to many new and exciting developments in our marine economy. The establishment of this authority will ensure that these developments will be done in a well-managed way, striking a delicate balance between sustainable development and managing our environment for the good of all humans and the millions of other species of flora and fauna with which we share our land and seas. Ireland has a long and proud tradition of marine enterprise and exploration. I am …

To be fair to Deputy O’Donoghue, the Deputy might conclude.

Deputy O’Donoghue has the floor.

Deputy O'Donoghue-----

Deputy, to clarify, you cannot make personal charges in this Chamber.

The Deputy is not allowed to make political charges.

Just bringing clarity to matters.

I call Deputy Bacik. I congratulate her and wish her all the best in the time ahead.

We will take it.

I call the Minister of State, Deputy Feighan, who has ten minutes.

I call Deputy Mattie McGrath who I understand is concluding the debate on behalf of the Rural Independents. The Deputy has ten minutes.

We now move to the Rural Independent Group. There are four speakers who have two minutes each. The first is Deputy Michael Collins.

I have to ask the Deputy to conclude-----

I thank the Deputy. We now move to the Independents group. I call Deputy Catherine Connolly. There are eight minutes in this slot.