Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

We have not made the decision because, as the Deputy knows, the board in Cork accepted the Cassells recommendations. Due to the fact that those recommendations are different from the original business plan, that plan was resubmitted to the Dublin Airport Authority. The latter will then submit the revised plan to me and the Minister for Finance. We have already agreed, in principle, that we are moving ahead but it will not be until that point that we will actually begin doing so. When that happens, a particular process must be undergone.

Commitments were given in respect of local consultations and those at a national level with ICTU. I have made a proposal to the unions regarding the form the process of consultations might take. That process will go ahead. As stated previously — I have no reason to change my view in this regard — provided the business plans are acceptable, it should take nine to 12 months before the three airports are fully separated.

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