Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

We returned to them to establish why their tenders were not sufficiently robust to allow us to proceed to the next stage of the tendering process. We also tried to establish whether the result would have been any different if the process had been reopened at that stage. Consultants that were involved were satisfied that the result would probably not have been any different. On that basis and rather than delay the opening of Terminal 2, I decided to place stringent conditions on the DAA to operate the terminal within the parameters of the limits set down by the Commission for Aviation Regulation.

We have given the authority until mid-June to decide whether, and to show us if, it can operate the terminal in this way. If it cannot prove to us that it can operate the terminal, we will be faced with a problem because we will probably be obliged to put the contract out to tender again to try to obtain the best possible price. That could delay the opening of Terminal 2. However, if that is what it takes to obtain the best value possible, then we will just have to proceed.

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