Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)

Deputy Dooley's question relates to the timeframe for making a decision on the future of Shannon Airport. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that at its meeting yesterday the Government decided in principle that Shannon Airport will be separated from the Dublin Airport Authority and merged with parts of Shannon Development, including its property portfolio, to form a new entity in public ownership.

The Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and I will revert to Government later this year with detailed proposals. These will include an implementation strategy for the establishment of the new entity and a plan setting out how it will contribute to strong regional development while ensuring the highest standard of enterprise support in the region. This decision is an exciting first step on a new road in aviation development in Ireland and it heralds a new era for the Shannon region.

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, and I will presently establish a steering group tasked with bringing forward detailed proposals on matters that arise from the Government decision. In particular the steering group will make recommendations on the optimum organisational structure of the new entity in regard to best supporting the future development of the Shannon area. Among other matters, the steering group will assess the feasibility of creating an international aviation centre of excellence at Shannon Airport. We look forward to working with the key stakeholders to progress the many issues that have to be addressed prior to going back to Government with detailed proposals later this year.

See this speech in context