Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the strong contributions from our guests. I am struck by the recognition of the union representatives that separation from the Dublin Airport Authority has not worked. It is well known that I was one of the few politicians at the time who spoke out against it. It should not have happened. Notwithstanding that, I do not believe that the response should be to put Shannon back under the DAA. What is their view on creating an overall airport authority with all three State airports under its remit, whereby they would work in a co-operative way so one is not set off against another as we try to rebuild our aviation sector?

It is clear that aviation, hospitality and tourism have suffered most as a result of the pandemic. If we are to start to rebuild those sectors, we will have to do it in a way that ensures, as Dr. Cahill said, we look to the medium term in terms of the distribution of passengers. There is an opportunity to do that now, when we are starting from such a low base. That is probably one of the first steps that must be taken. There should be a quick decision that the three State airports will come under one super authority, as was the case in the past under the old Aer Rianta, with an independent board. There should not be a situation where Shannon is dependent on the board and management of Dublin Airport Authority for its future direction. There should be devolved responsibility, with independent boards at each airport with the capacity for independent management decisions, but under the overall structure of an airport authority. I have in mind the model of CIÉ. CIÉ is the overall umbrella for public transport and acts not necessarily as a co-ordinator but as an umbrella, under which there are Dublin Bus, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann. While there is some competition between them, it is managed in a controlled and regulated way.

The hawks that exist in the commercial sector are few and far between now in terms of the future of aviation. When one has people from the extreme end of commercial aviation, as I would describe Mr. Wilson, who appeared before the committee and I am sure he would be happy enough with that characterisation, talking about the necessity for State support, it is time to take a closer look. What are the witnesses' views in regard to an overall airport authority and how that might play out? What are Dr. Cahill's views of what would be acceptable for the chambers and their members? Perhaps Ms Ryan would respond on behalf of the members she represents who have a major role in foreign direct investment, FDI. Would they have a negative view of bringing the three airports together under a common umbrella, while recognising the size of the State and that naked competition has not worked? There was a view that Shannon would act in a competitive way and would be able to compete with Dublin, but that has not happened, sadly.