Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Is there connectivity between the top five airports and their respective city centres? He indicated that he is in favour of metro north. It is a necessity if we are to compete successfully with other European airports. Passenger numbers from Dublin Airport to mainland Europe and the United States have greatly increased, with five or seven return flights to San Francisco, and visitor numbers from the United States are at their highest level since figures were first recorded. However, profits have not increased accordingly. Perhaps he can give us the reason for that.

Cork Airport was mentioned by other speakers. I have flown through the airport on a number of occasions. I agree that it needs active support if it is to contribute to tourism growth in the region. There are two flights to Prague every week from the airport. Should it also be connected to other European capitals or would that interfere with other regional airports? Charges at Cork Airport have not increased in ten years but passenger numbers continue to decline. I cannot reconcile these trends.

I congratulate Mr. Ó Ríordáin on his reappointment. Given what I have heard from him, I am confident in his ability to do his job and I wish him well in the years to come.