Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is very important to say that all the bids were to be based on the long-term commercial viability and sustainability of the company. If we cobbled together something that would sort out Dublin Airport and it fell on its face in six months, it would be a retrograde step for the businesspeople, workers and taxpayer. All the bidders were aware of the process. The process was being supported by the team but the process and the bids were with the company. As I indicated, the company indicated it would not and did not receive the commercial expectations that should be raised. It is equally important to say there are new options in play regarding the re-engagement with these companies to ascertain whether they are continuing to proceed on the basis of the APU bid they submitted previously or other options available within the short timeframe which we have spoken about this month.

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