Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise as I had to step out for a minute. I have a few brief questions. To return to the Booz report, why did the Department not carry out an evaluation of the impact of the proposals for Shannon on Knock, Cork and Kerry airports? The proposals will not just affect Knock but will have a regional dimension.

I am surprised by the Minister's comment that Shannon and Knock are competing for one pool of the population. Shannon has a far bigger catchment than just the area north of it, while Knock has a far bigger catchment than just the area south of it. The people in between have the benefit of both airports. Does the delegation believe it is because there is a perception within the Department that Knock is a regional airport while Shannon is an international airport? Is it the case that because Shannon is a State airport and Knock is a community airport there seems to be an attitude block in respect of the development of both airports in a partnership-type approach? How would the delegation envisage Shannon and Knock working together? The best objective would be to see a co-operative approach between both airports, with Shannon going for a particular type of business and Knock going for another type of business. It does not make sense to have two airports on the west coast competing head to head for the one type of business coming into the expanded region. A co-operative approach would be a far more effective tool to expand the throughput in both airports. I am surprised by the plan that has been produced, which is focused on taking business away from Knock rather than bringing a counterbalance to the Dublin Airport Authority, which has such a disproportionate number of passengers compared to the two other airports.

Could the delegation elaborate on the regional enterprise hub? I know the airport has some innovative plans to create more than 500 jobs along the lines of what has been done in Shannon in the past. One could build on the other.