Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ms Gubbins has given me an answer. I would have thought the DAA's reputational profile was more important than its financial profile, particularly when it could have reached out to the Government and sought support in view of the circumstances in which it found itself.

What is the ratio of permanent staff to casual staff to temporary staff at the airport? We have heard a lot of discussion about the contracts and I know people who have applied for the jobs that are available. Our guests have told us that the contracts guarantee an employee 20 hours per week, possibly 40 hours per week, and staff are required to be on stand-by. The DAA is restricting itself when it comes to recruitment. For instance, somebody in Tipperary might apply for a job at the airport, be given 20 hours per week and told they are on stand-by for another 20 hours. That means the person must get from the midlands to the airport at short notice. The DAA must go back to having a permanent, fully trained, qualified and professional staff who can expedite proceedings. It has been too reliant on casual staff. The contract that the DAA has out at the moment leads me to believe that it intends to go forward with casual contracts. Will our guests tell me that ratio?