Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)

The Minister acknowledged that in 2009 overall passenger traffic was down. At Shannon Airport it was down 23%, while in Europe and the UK it was down 13% and 7% respectively.

The Minister meanwhile has shelved plans for granting autonomy to Shannon Airport management until 2011. This is unacceptable for the airport's management as it is forced to work with one hand tied behind its back. In the past the airport performed well when management could make its own decisions, particularly in the time of Brendan O'Regan and Liam Skelly. However, a conflict of interest between the Dublin Airport Authority and Shannon Airport has arisen. For example, the Dublin Airport Authority would like to have the Lynxs cargo company locate in Dublin when Shannon is vying for it too.

Does the Minister plan to address this structural deficit or will he continue to leave Shannon Airport management in limbo? It is to the detriment of the airport that its management cannot make its own decisions.

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