Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The legislation is of necessity finely balanced in this regard. Section 8 states that the Dublin Airport authority "shall" pending the Cork appointed day enter into such arrangements with Cork Airport for the performance of functions on its behalf regarding Cork Airport as may be agreed between the parties. The clause for Shannon is exactly the same. The language used is clear.

The Dublin Airport authority is required to enter into arrangements with Shannon and Cork Airports for functions as can be agreed between them to be carried out on behalf of Dublin Airport in an agency-type fashion although that phrase is not used in the Bill. Legal responsibility remains with Dublin Airport in the interim period.