Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is right that the Booz report was not a definitive document informing all Government thinking. It would have been wrong to suggest that any one consultancy report would form the basis for the entire thinking of Government.

The business plan I recall indicated a necessity to reach approximately 1.9 million passengers by the end of 2014. That would have taken numbers to significantly more than is projected for this year. Approximately 1.39 million passengers used Shannon Airport last year, which was an increase of approximately 5,000. Projections are that there will be an increase of 10% to 12% this year, which gets numbers to 1.6 million at best. That is 300,000 passengers short of the business plan expectation. Projections went on to require passenger numbers of approximately 2.5 million by the end of 2017. We are well off target in the first year, which is not to cast any negative aspersions on the people there who are working very hard to build on the economic activity in the State and take cognisance of what is happening internationally. They are doing an outstanding job. However, it points to the fact that the projections in the business plan which set the tone for the Government's decision to bring forward the Bill have not been met to a considerable extent. One must suggest, therefore, that there is a very obvious need for a belt-and-braces approach.

We all recognise that there are potentially negative consequences to going independent, but people are largely embracing the idea. They want to make the most of it. However, I record my concerns at not seeing the kind of protection required when one considers the importance of Shannon Airport to the wider mid-west region. While it is clear we will not agree, I want the Minister to be aware of potential issues. There is no impediment in the legislation to directing cross-subsidisation.

If one wants cross-subsidisation, I hope there is capacity there that will allow the two companies to operate in a manner that works best for both. I certainly think their interdependence is critical and is just not at board or senior management level.