Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

—commends the recent significant growth in traffic at all three State airports and looks forward to further forecast traffic growth that supports Ireland's economic development;

—commends the boards of the three State airport authorities in bringing new dynamism to the development of our State airports;

—recognises the need for continued investment at the State airports to enable all of the airports to grow and expand to meet the needs of the Irish economy;

—notes the benefits to Cork and its hinterland of the major investment in new facilities there and due to come into operation shortly, to include a new terminal building, car parks, and new internal road systems, that will transform the role of the airport and its service to its customers; and,

—notes the Government policy of restructuring the State airports under the State Airports Act 2004, which is designed to enable independent State airports to provide cost competitive services and appropriate infrastructure to meet user requirements, while operating to a commercial mandate and on a basis that underpins each airport's financial sustainability.

I welcome the Minister for Transport, Deputy Cullen, to the House and also the opportunity to speak on the motion. This matter has been in the public domain for some time. It is good the Minister is present to discuss the issue from a Cork and Shannon perspective. The motion is set against a backdrop of significant growth at Cork and Shannon since the passage of the legislation, most of which was of critical importance. The idea of creating more autonomy at Shannon and Cork was welcome at the time. It was welcome because the management structure in place in Aer Rianta prevented basic decision-making at Shannon and Cork which resulted in a lack of movement in the sector to allow for greater use of these airports. There were no decision-making opportunities and no power afforded to the management other than the basic operation of the infrastructure.

It is widely accepted that the establishment of the independent boards has had a significant positive effect not only on Shannon and Cork but on the entire region. Like Senator Ryan, I do not wish to harp on the local element but I am familiar with what is happening at Shannon Airport and I am aware that the number of passengers has increased during the past 12 months to in excess of 1 million. The number is somewhat more when the military traffic is included. Shannon Airport has been very successful. The decision to allow the boards to set their own prices and approach airlines in their own way has been very successful and must be continued. It has also created better conditions for the management to go after new business. In this context I refer to the military business. There has been a significant increase in military traffic through Shannon Airport. My investigations suggest there has not been any more activity across the Atlantic during the past 12 months in the number of troops ferried to and fro.