Diarmuid Wilson (Fianna Fail)

I consulted with a number of people in various locations throughout the country and I read with interest in the newspapers of the Dáil debates on this legislation. The Government Deputies in particular welcomed the Bill, with some reservations, as a wonderful opportunity for Cork Airport and for the southern region to develop away from the stranglehold of Dublin. Deputies representing counties Clare and Limerick welcomed the similar advantages for Shannon Airport, again with some reservations. Deputies felt that the Bill offered challenges as well as opportunities for the three airports and they look forward to that. The main problem identified concerned infrastructure, to which several Senators have alluded today, including Senator Dooley. They felt that the Government must put further investment in place at the three airports and that the construction of the second terminal at Dublin Airport should be implemented as a priority. Regarding the 2,800 employees of Aer Rianta, Deputies felt that these employees must be given job security. I welcome the Minister for Transport's statement in this House that the airports will remain in State ownership and those 2,800 jobs will be secure.

A number of public representatives at local level with whom I was in contact felt that there should be representation for public representatives at board level in the new airport authorities, perhaps in the form of representatives from the various regional authorities. There was concern about duty free and other overseas operations in terms of which airport will receive the benefits of those operations. Is it Dublin Airport or will a separate company be established to deal with that area?

The Minister for Transport is a progressive Minister and I doubt he would bring forward legislation that would be to the detriment of the future progress of Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports. I wholeheartedly support what he is trying to achieve. My only reservation relates to the concerns expressed by the people I have consulted, which I am sure the Minister can allay.