Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I find the rationale operating here amazing. We have an airport in Shannon that has been haemorrhaging money. I have no issue with helping out Shannon Airport but I do have an issue with the Government putting at risk an airport that is doing its best on a shoestring budget by intervening in another State airport. I have consistently asked questions about the anti-competitive effect of decisions made in respect of Shannon Airport but have received no answer. If I am asking these questions, the Minister of State can only imagine what the trustees and staff of Knock airport are wondering. I have asked whether there has been any liaison with the European authorities regarding competition law and whether the Government's intervention falls foul of this, but the silence has been deafening. No concrete information is forthcoming, despite the fact that a decision about one airport is having massive ramifications for another.

This situation requires a lot more joined-up thinking, because I cannot see any clear Government airport policy. Before proceeding with the preferred approach for the separation of the Dublin Airport Authority, would it not benefit the Government to clarify its airport objectives? The Government must clarify its desired level of airport competition for the country as a whole, as well as among the current DAA airports. Is it just going to ignore the West as a region? Is it acceptable that we all go to Shannon Airport and undermine Knock airport? I do not think that is acceptable. It is not fair to hide behind the fact that the DAA airports are State airports. Knock airport is a public airport, owned by the people of the area in trust; that is the way it was set up. A lack of consideration of Knock airport by the Government will not wash, because it has the potential to be a strategic aviation hub for us. Without it, the west will be at a significant disadvantage in terms of business and tourism. This matter must be addressed. The issues surrounding competition and the possible illegality of some of the moves the Government appears to be planning must be addressed. Some consolation must be given to Knock airport in this regard and some plan must be drawn up for the airport and for the people of the region.

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