Mr. Neil McGowan:

The DAA has indicated that it is seeking between 750 and 1,000 redundancies. Aer Lingus has indicated that it is seeking 500 redundancies. Tracking the announcements made in some of the companies where we are not recognised I believe that in Dublin Airport the current figure in terms of intended redundancies stands at around 2,500. It is important to note that we are in the early stages in this process. As I said in my opening statement we are heading into the winter which is traditionally a quieter time in the aviation industry. It is traditionally a time when the airport and airlines do not make money, even in normal times. This is compensated for by the busy summer months. However, this year that has not come to fruition. Any expectation that people had that the situation would improve dramatically in July and August has not happened.

In regard to the Dublin Airport campus, 2,500 redundancies is probably the thin edge of the wedge. I have already referenced Swissport which has indicated it is seeking to make 52% of its staff in the UK redundant. That would transfer into an additional 400 redundancies here. Shannon Airport is seeking an unspecified number of redundancies. There are other industries that are dependent on aviation, such as the aviation repair industry which is heavily based around Shannon Airport. The people who work in that area are currently working half time in the main. While the planes are not flying they will not to be maintained. The problems for that industry are probably several months away. Unless we have direct intervention from the State in the form of the temporary wage subsidy scheme and in the form of assistance to the airports, the third party handlers and the airlines the figure of 2,500 to 3,000 will look very modest as we head into January and February of next year.