Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Does the Minister accept that Shannon Airport would be well and truly able to carry its current debt pile if Aer Rianta International was left there? He will be aware from company records that Aer Rianta International made a profit of almost €30 million last year when exceptional items are removed. It is clear that if Aer Rianta International were to be retained by the airport, the debt burden of approximately €100 million at Shannon Airport could be wiped out within three or three and a half years. Does the Minister accept that the removal of that revenue stream from a company that was created, developed and built in the Shannon region would represent a significant loss to the region? Many people would find its removal unacceptable.

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