John Dennehy (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

When Shannon and Dublin airports were redeveloped the funding came from central airport funds. Cork Airport is entitled to the same treatment. It is disingenuous of Dublin Airport management and Dublin-based Senators and others to say that if Cork is funded from central funds, it will lead to a significant increase in individual passenger charges for Dublin passengers. Deputy Kelleher made the point that Aer Rianta has a whole range of prosperous assets and associated facilities. In that context, it looks like the company law requirements on capital maintenance rules could be easily overcome if the will existed to do so.

Cork Airport has done an excellent job in consistently increasing the throughput of passengers. Our concern is that the €100 million debt will stop that progress. We cannot compare Cork with Dublin, the country's capital, where there is a tenfold greater throughput of passengers. Unfortunately, we have experts on one hand telling us that Cork Airport will have no problem absorbing a €100 million debt, while experts on the other hand say it will keep the airport grounded and could destroy it.

I am no expert on aviation matters, but I have worked with Cork Airport management and staff over the years to get us to where we are. I do not want to see that work jeopardised now.

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