Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Ms Hynes for her presentation. I note her curriculum vitae which is very impressive. She outlined the reasons for the dramatic drop in passenger numbers over the period, such as Ryanair pulling its services. I assume the strategy will be to attract back some of the people who pulled out over the years. I will not comment on the issue of Knock versus Shannon. It is argued that Knock airport has a bigger catchment area than Shannon Airport. Is this a stumbling block? The committee has been informed by people making presentations about Knock airport that its catchment area is bigger and this is the reason for the increase in its passenger numbers. I ask for Ms Hynes's opinion on this matter.

We are informed there had been an imbalance in the apportionment of subventions, with more going to Shannon than to Knock. It is impossible to imagine that the subvention to Shannon would be cut off.

It will be needed in the coming years even though technically it is independent.

In regard to the military use of Shannon, I am curious about the board's input in monitoring such use. While the number of military aircraft landing there has decreased does that have a huge monetary effect? Is there any indication of the amount of employment for which it is responsible? The Shannon business plan was mentioned. Will the witness please outline some of the ideas in the plan, given that everyone is seeking to attract industry to the airport? I am aware that services available in Shannon could be expanded. The same issue arose in Dublin Airport which had many services for aircraft which eventually collapsed to the point where there are very few services there now. What is the scope for expanding such services?

On the issue of the debt write-down, while it was never going to be paid, has it created a better environment? Has the write-down been positive or is it a book saving issue?