Seanad debates

Tuesday, 13 July 2004

State Airports Bill 2004: Second Stage.

 

4:00 pm

Brendan Daly (Fianna Fail)

I will not name anyone. Some of them I do not even have to mention. They are very familiar to the Cathaoirleach, from other activities in County Clare, which will not be mentioned either. They made a valuable contribution. What needs to be kept in mind when legislation such as this is being discussed, is that behind all the chapters, schedules and sections of this Bill are men and women who are employed by this company, who have made a large contribution towards the achievements we have seen in Irish aviation over the last 20 or 30 years. They have worked hard and diligently. It is ill-becoming of Members of this House to make critical comments of a broad general nature. In my experience a person who makes a comment such as that is not familiar with the detailed working that has taken place and the participation among worker directors and boards of management in achieving these developments over the past 30 years or so. If no one else appreciates it, as a public representative who has been in this House for over 30 years, I do. I certainly acknowledge the co-operation I received from the airport authorities in issues that related to the business and activities of airlines, where livelihoods and opportunities for people in my constituency were often at stake.

For many years there has been a growing awareness in Shannon, whether or not it is a misconception, that it is time to put the airport on a firm footing. The feeling in the region is that Dublin has dominated airport activities for far too long. Head office concentrated for the most part on the expanding challenges being faced in Dublin and they were numerous and fast evolving. I am not too familiar with the position in Cork, but in Shannon there was a growing feeling of discontent. It was no longer acceptable that an overall authority was the most desirable or most profitable way to expand the business of the airports at the present time. This view was being put forward by bodies such as the development agencies, local communities and especially by people involved in the airport. I have travelled through Shannon on a regular basis for 30 years. There was always the feeling there, whether correct or not, that Shannon was being dominated. The decisions affecting the future of the airport were dictated by Dublin. The activities of Dublin Airport were prioritised and attention was focused on it to the detriment of Shannon Airport. For that reason, I welcome an arrangement whereby Shannon Airport will have autonomy comprising its own board of management, directors, worker-directors, and policies to expand the business and seek opportunities as Michael Guerin and Liam Skelly did 25 years ago.

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