Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank our visitors for their presentation. It has been very informative and it brought us up to date. It was important that we had this meeting. It has also given our visitors the opportunity to convey to the public how the airport works. The DAA was taking the brunt of everybody’s criticism. Everybody thought it was the cause of all the problems at the airport. Obviously, the running of the airport and the aviation industry is a complex operation. There is a level of interdependency and collaboration that makes the system work. As we have heard, I think the public is now more aware, because they never been under more scrutiny. There has been huge media attention. As a result of that, people now understand how the system works.

In terms of the collaboration, it is at a high level at this time because everyone has to work together to overcome the difficulties that are there. What is the hierarchy? Is there a system or are there procedures in place? Do the witnesses meet regularly? Do the heads of each group meet? How do they, in a normal course when the airport is running well, interact? Is there a formal procedure or is it simply a case of acting or connecting with each other when it is necessary?

When we had the DAA in last time, we had many prophecies about doom and gloom. The DAA responded splendidly. It did an exceptionally good job under difficult circumstances. I have been through the airport on a number of occasions and the arrangements that were put in place as a result of the overcrowding and delays have worked particularly well. It would not have worked without the focus and concentration of the workforce. Going through the airport, one sees the same people doing the same job. It is so repetitive. They have to remain in good humour and handle so many different people. Obviously, the public gets agitated and it is not an easy job. Today, we should compliment them on the work they are doing and hope that they continue to do that.

It was mentioned that 2.8 million passengers went through the airport in June. Many of them had baggage. We got the answers regarding how much baggage has been delayed and what have you. We have here today Swissport, SHP and Aer Lingus. What proportion of baggage is handled by whom? How much of the business is handled by Swissport, SHP and the airlines themselves, respectively?