Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. I thank Mr. Gallagher for that reply. I have a couple of questions. It appears to me that the Department is moving some of its responsibilities to the CAR. I think Mr. Gallagher referred to that in his statement. I do not know whether this transfer is a good thing or a bad thing. I think it needs to be discussed and debated. Having said that, from my own experience outside here, I find the CAR absolutely first class and very professional. I think the biggest challenge the CAR might have in this context relates to its resources. That leads to another question.

The Department is talking about putting significant extra responsibilities and duties on the CAR. Greater accountability would be required of the CAR and the DAA in this matter. I am not sure whether sufficient resources are available or may be made available. I would ask questions about the respective roles of the Department and the CAR as we go forward. As I have said, it looks like there has been some delegation of powers or responsibilities from the Department to the CAR.

My third question relates to the appeals procedure. If this legislation goes through in the form currently being proposed, it appears that the CAR will have practically absolute or full authority without easy access to appeal. It appears that the only means of appeals being provided for here will be through the High Court. This is incredibly onerous and very difficult. It takes a lot of time and is very expensive. I believe there should be a more accessible and less expensive way of appealing.

My final question relates specifically to the DAA. I am aware from my previous experience that airlines use mobile assets, whereas airports have fixed assets in the ground. The tarmac cannot be moved. An airline can move from one airport to another. Dublin Airport carries approximately 85% of all passengers in and out of Ireland. I understand it expects to cater for approximately 32 million passengers this year. When an airport seeks to attract an airline, it is in competition with other airports in the UK and Europe for international traffic. I am concerned for us to ensure there is some form of safeguarding to allow our airports to compete on a level playing field. I question whether this type of regulation or legislation is in existence for other airports. As far as I know, Heathrow Airport is the only airport for which something like this is in existence. In the preliminary research I have done, I have not come across the existence of this type of approach in respect of other EU airports, or most other airports in Europe. I ask Mr. Gallagher to enlighten me in response to the questions I have asked.