Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

Yesterday I stated that this decision was initially taken as a public policy decision, not strictly as a business decision. I would not expect the existing board, which has run a monopoly and has left Shannon and Cork with 10% of the business, to come forward with a business plan under which both Cork and Shannon could operate independently. If it did, it would negate its position to date. However, there has been investment of €60 million and €70 million in Cork and Shannon in the past five to seven years and they are going into the future debt-free and with autonomous local management. If, in those circumstance, local management cannot now bring forward a successful business plan to ensure their success, I would agree that a case could be made against them. Those airports should not be there if they require a subsidy. I am very much against this amendment.