Ms Anne Nolan:

We do not have a specific strategy for Cork, although I am sure Cork Airport has one itself, but we do collaborate very effectively. Some time ago, because apparently there are no flights between midnight and 6 a.m., there was a suggestion that we take our air traffic control men and women out after midnight, but we did not. We said we would keep it going because the local business community requested that we do it as it was important to them. We did that and we will try to help where we can.

On the issue of obligations to smaller airports, we licence the aerodromes but we do not actually provide air traffic control services. I am aware that things are difficult for regional airports, and not only in Ireland. That is a responsibility of the Government, which is looking at the issue. As a citizen, my view is that it would be wonderful if we could afford to keep all of our regional airports. That may or may not be possible. In our aviation promotion policies, the whole idea is to promote the island of Ireland as a centre of excellence for aviation in and out, leasing companies and so on. We are doing our best. As I understand it, there are similar discussions taking place in other countries throughout Europe, and there may be a possibility of remotely controlled tower activities, which might help save a few bob somewhere along the way.