Results 4,641-4,660 of 4,893 for speaker:Séamus Brennan

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I have a letter——

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I am just finished. There was a letter some time ago from the company which states, regarding the possible sale of one third of Aer Rianta to a large international bank, that it might be worth considering it further when with a minimum of fuss it could provide €1 billion for the Exchequer. I did not like that policy then and I do not like it now.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: It is from Aer Rianta to the Department of Transport. I have made it clear that I do not like that policy. I thank the Leader of the Seanad for insisting that we give this debate six hours. She was right about that. I have enjoyed the six hours. I thank the Cathaoirleach and everyone on all sides in the Seanad.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: In accordance with Standing Order 121, I request the Cathaoirleach to direct the clerk to correct two misprints in the Bill. One is to delete a comma after "amend" in page 5, line 25, and in page 23, line 10, "persons" should read "person". They are technical corrections.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I will.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I thank the Cathaoirleach and Senators for what has been a full debate on this legislation over almost six hours. I have listened carefully to everything that has been said and will take the issues on board and deal with them as best I can. The issue of funds was raised. I wish to state clearly and unambiguously that there is no risk whatsoever from the bond holders in any area related to the...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I assume he has survived despite the big players. The various boards will have to make business decisions regarding the other assets. With regard to airport charges, irrespective of whether this legislation is enacted, charges will rise at Dublin Airport, as PricewaterhouseCoopers reported, because of pre-existing financial challenges. The much needed investment that was made must be...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: No Member can tell me that over the past 40 years the Aer Rianta board has never had a plan for Cork or Shannon Airports. The boards knew every detail, figure, aeroplane, staff member and overtime chit. The board members cannot look me in the eye and tell me they had no plans for Cork and Shannon Airports. No self-respecting plc would not have a business plan. PricewaterhouseCoopers...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: With regard to Shannon Airport——

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: A Chathaoirligh, am I over my time?

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: Shannon Airport was the first one I ever stood in and I am proud of it, knowing it will be a huge success. The new airport authority is the only way to deal with future concerns about its operations. Senators Dooley and Daly are right to be concerned about the future of the stopover and the EU-US talks and Aer Lingus's plans. However, who is best placed to deal with those issues, a board...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: ——or a fully fledged board at Shannon Airport committed to its interests? The best people to deal with those threats to Shannon Airport's operations are those from the region and not some memorandum from Dublin that notes its difficulties.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: The chairman designate claims he can double the number of passengers to 4 million. He and his board have investigated low-cost transatlantic travel and Shannon becoming a freight hub for east-west transit.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: They have spoken about creating jobs at Shannon Airport by introducing more routes to the UK and USA. Enterprise Ireland and the Irish Aviation Authority will relocate to Shannon. Investment in the Shannon-Galway road, the Ennis by-pass, the second river crossing and the rail link will help build up the airport. Is it best practice for a group of people sitting around a board table in Dublin...

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: "Shadowy figures" and "who is behind who" have been referred to in the debate on my motivation for this legislation.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: In my 25 years in public life I have only worked for the people and not any shadowy figures. My motivation is simple. I want more passengers for Cork and Shannon Airports, for them to develop and more jobs to be created. I want freedom for Cork and Shannon Airports and for the mid-west region to continue to grow with the kind of enterprise and vision fostered in the early days by Sean Lemass....

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: We have disagreed many times. She is fully entitled to tell me that I am an eejit——

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: ——that I am getting it wrong, that I have only acted on a hunch, that the Bill is imperfect.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: She will also allow me to say that if she disagrees with my policy I am entitled to disagree with hers. Her policy in response to a parliamentary question on 10 May 2001 was: I concur with the view that private sector participation in Aer Rianta would be in the best interests of the company, in terms of addressing its funding needs in the long term.

Seanad: State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage. (13 Jul 2004)

Séamus Brennan: I speak with full respect.