Seanad debates

Thursday, 9 February 2006

11:00 am

Photo of Mary O'RourkeMary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

——despite the very fine infrastructural work that was being done on the airport and which I understand has turned out very well. Nobody wishes to roll back on that; it was needed and it happened. The notion that Shannon and Cork airports would be left debt free was promulgated here. I remember many Members raising the issue. I remain to be convinced that the promotion of three companies vis-À-vis one company was in itself a good business idea. I cannot understand how three State companies should take over from one.

Earlier this week Senator Minihan raised on the Adjournment the matter of Cork Airport being debt free. The issue was also raised at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, lest Senators do not believe we talk about such issues in great detail. Something will need to happen. The board of directors was told that Cork Airport would be debt free. However, the DAA has stated that it would not take over its debt. The DAA is promoting Dublin at the expense of Cork and Shannon. Shannon Airport was lucky in completing its infrastructural development two or three years ago, before this idea came about. We will seek clarification from the Minister now in charge.

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