Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

I would not take as pessimistic a view as the Deputy of our airports and aviation policy generally. Undoubtedly there are difficulties but an action plan has been in place since May 2005 and on which work is progressing.

In regard to Shannon Airport, my predecessor prepared that airport as best he could for what would happen. He gave signals long in advance of what would happen in regard to the open skies policy. The first task Shannon must undertake is to produce a business plan.

That action plan specifically addressed the uncompetitive cost base of Shannon. As the Deputy rightly said, a severance package has now been put in place which will remove costs of approximately €10 million per annum. That process is moving forward in a positive way.

A debt issue still exists in regard to Cork Airport. I do not know how long it will take for the message to get through but the policy that was in place prior to and during the general election remains in place after the general election. I will make that clear to Cork Airport during the round of meetings I will have during July.

I have outlined the programme of development for Dublin Airport as it moves forward. There are issues that need to be resolved but some of them are outside the control of the Dublin Airport Authority, particularly the planning issue, a process I would certainly like to see in place. As the Deputy will note from my initial reply, I make no secret of the fact that if the planning permission does not come through in a positive manner very quickly, this will cause a delay and that would not be in the national interest. I ask those involved in making that decision to make it as quickly as they possibly can.

On terminal three, the Deputy was right in what she said and I will examine the position. She will appreciate that I am only reading into my brief but I have learned that terminal three will probably be needed by the middle of the next decade. As the Deputy said, it is as well to start thinking in terms of doing something about it now because of these kinds of issues. We will return to it but I will consider commencing the planning process in a positive light.

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