Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)

This nonsensical defence of a promise made and reneged on is incredible, especially when the Minister of State is suggesting that the former Minister, Deputy Brennan, would have given such a commitment without checking its legal status. Any decision on the future of the debt would have been made at Cabinet level and it seems that another political promise to the people of the southern region is being broken.

Failure to honour the commitments given would seriously inhibit Cork's capacity to develop the airport to its full potential. If this matter is not sorted out, the debt burden on Cork will have the most serious consequences and implications because it is inevitable that the burden will be passed on through increased costs to the carriers and travelling public. If this happens, I fear for the future of the relationship between the airport and the carriers that use the facility. I have been told that as of now, operators are being informed of increased charges and instead of attracting new carriers, operating new routes and offering new services to the public, Cork Airport will find it impossible to hold on to its current business, as a result of which we will lose operators and routes out of Cork. What about the Government's spatial strategy where Cork is identified as one of the main gateways? All we have seen is double dealing. I demand an immediate political decision that will allow Cork Airport to proceed with the development of its business without the burden of a massive debt.

The Minister, Deputy Cullen, should clear the air once and for all on this political issue. Political decisions were made to construct a new terminal at Cork Airport which we all applauded and supported. Political promises were made to the effect that the cost of the new terminal would not have to be borne by the Cork Airport Authority. This political commitment must now be delivered on by the Government.

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