Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Transport; Tourism and Sport when the Booz report on the ownership and management of Cork and Shannon airports will be published; if he has any plans to amend the State Airports Act 2004 to give effect to any of the proposals from the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1754/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy's question refers to the report on the ownership and management of Cork and Shannon airports, whether I intend to publish the report and if I have plans to amend legislation to give effect to the proposals arising from the report.

The report was undertaken by consultants at my request to provide me with wide-ranging advice on all possible options for the future ownership and operation of Cork and Shannon airports in order that I can propose informed recommendations to the Government. The Deputy will be aware that in 2008, my predecessor as Minister for Transport postponed until 2011 making a decision on the separation of Cork and Shannon airports as envisaged under the State Airports Act 2004. It is thus falls on me to consider the future of these two State-owned airports. I consulted Dublin, Cork and Shannon airport authorities on this question and their unanimous view is that there is no support for separation as originally envisaged. As a result, I sought consultancy advice on the way forward for the two airports. I asked the consultants to consult as widely as possible with stakeholders in Cork and Shannon on sustainable options for the two airports.

I received the consultants' report in December and I am currently considering their analysis and recommendations. I intend to bring proposals to the Government as soon as possible. As the report contains commercially sensitive information, much of which was provided on a confidential basis, it will not be possible to publish the report in full. However, I will publish a redacted version in due course. In the context of bringing forward proposals for the two airports, I will take account of the need for legislative changes.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister for his reply and welcome his stated intention to publish redacted elements of the report. However, I am disappointed by the continued delay on this important issue. While I accept the Minister only received the report in December, the issue has been around for some time and his Department possesses quite a lot of corporate knowledge on it. The Minister is correct to point out that a previous Minister put off a decision with an expectation of reviewing market conditions. Much corporate information is available and I am disappointed the issue effectively has been allowed to rest for the past 11 or 12 months.

The difficulty is the Minister made some quite specific promises in his party's manifesto prior to the general election about creating independent airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork. This has created concerns in the minds of workers who are fearful for their jobs and has created an unrealisable expectation in the minds of some within the tourism sector. The Fine Gael Party and some elements within other parties had sought to suggest that merely breaking up the Dublin Airport Authority was the solution to the problems at all airports and that therefore, in a separated or independent environment, passenger numbers would flourish and the activities and business interests of those in the regions would benefit significantly. Consequently, there was a legitimate expectation of some action but it is clear the Minister has dragged his heels in this regard. I understand he only appointed the Booz & Company consultants last October or November. They have acted well and I accept they consulted widely but I am disappointed that procrastination has been allowed on this issue.

The significant elements of concern that existed in 2008 remain extant. Passenger numbers are falling and it has been necessary to change the forecasts for passenger numbers and growth. The Minister is aware the medium-term forecasts will be well off profile, which creates a significant problem in respect of debt financing or in dealing with the existing debt burden. These issues constitute significant challenges that face the incoming board and executive team. Economic circumstances have changed across the marketplace and the Minister is in a difficult position regarding the company. The company's efforts in attempting to refinance some of the bond undertakings-----

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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Does the Deputy have a question?

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The question is inherent. Why has it taken so long for the Government to act on commitments it made before the last general election, which on the one hand gave an expectation to one group of people, while on the other hand created fear in the minds of others? Can the Government bring this issue to a conclusion? Can the Minister set out his policy proposals and allow everyone to get on with their lives?

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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First, there really has been no delay but it takes a bit of time to make the right decision. In making the right decision, I wished to ensure I had the advice from the various airport authorities and from independent consultants, as well as having time to give other members of the Cabinet, and other Departments in particular, an opportunity to consider the recommendations and proposals that lie within the Booz & Company report, as this issue also impinges on other Departments and is not simply a matter for my Department.

My own view has been expressed previously, while I also note the Fine Gael manifesto is not the same as the programme for Government. My view is that separation of the airports would be beneficial and that it would be beneficial to have greater competition among the State airports. While that is one proposal, it can only be done on a sustainable basis. It is very important that whatever is done with Cork and Shannon will ensure these airports are sustainable financially and are in a position to prosper, develop and compete. This must be ensured and I must be confident this is the case before proceeding with separation or deciding not to opt for separation.

However what will happen, and I agree with the Deputy on its importance, is that certainty is required as to what is the policy. Rightly or wrongly, between 2008 and 2011, no such certainty existed because decisions were postponed. I anticipate that during the course of this calendar year, we will have certainty as to the future of the airports and will be able to move on from there.

Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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May I ask a supplementary question?

Seán Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, Ceann Comhairle)
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No, we are out of time. I remind Members the Minister has two minutes in which to reply and four minutes overall are available thereafter.