Ms Rose Hynes:

On Deputy Patrick O'Donovan's point on the passenger experience, I received a really nice letter just two days ago from a woman who described herself as of advanced years. She has travelled to the United States from Shannon Airport in the past ten years but while arranging her last trip she got everything mixed up. Despite this, she was very complimentary about the airport, which was gratifying.

We will attract all types of passenger and want to improve the passenger experience for everybody. Shannon Airport is largely uncongested and represents an easy run for passengers. One can park outside the door and go in and out easily. It is the customer who decides where he or she will go. To us, the customer experience is what is important. We will offer the best experience we can and focus on customers, thereby winning as many as we can. It is not just a case of competing with other airports; it is about the customer deciding. The customer will ultimately go where he or she wants and where the best deal and experience are to be found. We want the customer experience to be memorable for the right reasons.

With regard to over-reliance on the military, the maximum number of military passengers in Shannon Airport has been approximately 340,000. Therefore, there has not been an over-reliance on them. We have sought the business and it has been important. Military traffic has been in the DNA of Shannon Airport for many years. It is important and lucrative and we will certainly target as much of it as we can get.

On the question of safety, Shannon Airport is unique in that it is the only 24 hour airport in Ireland. For this, it does not receive an immediate reimbursement. In the task force report we have said we need to keep this under surveillance, as it is important to us. As the military traffic uses the 24 hour service, it makes sense to remain open. With regard to Deputy Patrick O'Donovan's comments, I have not yet seen any rabbits. We intend to increase the volume of military traffic, but we will consider trying to attract traffic from other areas, as the Deputy suggested.

With regard to the land-bank and the people required to manage the new operation, the restructuring of Shannon Development will occur in the next six months and the legislation will be dealt with. During that period it will be decided exactly what lands and properties will be transferred. A number of the people in Shannon Development dealing with the properties will be transferred also. As I stated, we will be seeking to fill gaps in our management group once we see what our full complement of staff will be following the exercise. Members may rest assured that we will work with IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to ensure the region will benefit. The very intention of putting Shannon Development and Shannon Airport together is to enable both entities to achieve their full potential to the benefit of the region, not otherwise. I will certainly play my part to ensure the region will benefit.