David Norris (Independent)

The Government obviously believes it needs that type of solidarity behind it. That is fair enough; it is a political decision. The Minister's reference several times, in his script and in his obiter dicta, to the leaking of a letter being designed to create an erroneous impression goes to motive. If the Minister knows the motive, that suggests he has a fair clue as to its source. I would be interested, as the implications were made in this House, to know the source of the leaking of this letter particularly given the Minister's subsequent aside that it was part of a consistent pattern. It would be useful if the Minister is in a position to let us know the source.

I am an ordinary member of the public as far as transport business is concerned. Although I am a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, matters relating to air traffic are usually taken up by my colleague, Senator Ross, who made a good speech this afternoon even though I did not agree with it. I am interested in many other matters to which the Minister referred. For example, the script, on page 5, states that "the new board will be drawing up a business plan". I am interested in the use of the future tense. As the business plan is an integral part of the scheme and it is only by examining and evaluating that scheme that we can tell if the operation will be successful, then we are, as has been said, putting the cart before the horse or as the Taoiseach would say running the risk of upsetting the apple tart. This is confirmed later in the speech where it states: "Before making an order setting the appointed day for either Cork or Shannon Airport Authority, the Minister or Minister for Finance will have to be satisfied as to the operation and financial readiness, including business planning, of Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports." Again, the future tense is used. The Bill contains a hypothetical element in that we cannot operate its provisions, even if it is passed, in the absence of clear business plans from the various airports.

I am a little concerned about the dissolution of Aer Rianta and the new Dublin Airport authority being expected to carry the debts of the other airports. I agree that Dublin Airport is a mess. I remember when it was Collinstown Aerodrome. I used to take my father to Collinstown Aerodrome in the late 1940s. It was a beautifully designed architectural gem by Michael Scott. It was convenient and easily accessible with viewing rooms, little restaurants and so on. It is now in danger of the Heathrow syndrome in that it contains a little of this, a little of that and a little of the other and one is left wandering around makeshift corridors. Dublin Airport is inefficient as are the parking facilities there. There are serious problems in many of the airport's administrative areas.

I find myself in a most unusual position today in that for the first time in my life I am in agreement with Mr. Michael O'Leary from the cheapo airline.