Michael Ahern (Cork East, Fianna Fail)

It is Government policy that commercial State-sponsored bodies should operate to a commercial mandate, to include the capacity to finance capital investment without Exchequer support. The State Airports Act envisages that the three State airports will operate to such a commercial mandate. Any proposal to depart from this policy would, in any event, require EU Commission approval under the relevant Commission guidelines for state aid in the airport sector.

A process of engagement will now commence with all the relevant parties on implementation and the technical and legal issues involved will be progressed by the Cork and Shannon airport authorities and the Department.

It is the Minister's intention therefore to proceed without delay to effect the full separation of the three State airports, as set out in the State Airports Act 2004. This process will involve the preparation of revised business plans taking account of the Cassells' recommendations.

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