Tom Morrissey (Progressive Democrats)

Like many other Senators, I was present for the debate on the relevant legislation. Members entered choppy waters in the early days of July 2003 when we tried to get the Bill through the Seanad and the Other House. I am familiar with the commitments entered into in the legislation.

Senators have lauded the increase in traffic at our airports. When the Bill was introduced the Government was ambitious as regards the future of Cork and Shannon Airports and confident they would survive and grow. We have been proved correct. We would like the commitments entered into for Cork and Shannon Airports to be adhered to. Cork Airport cannot pay the debts due to its current payload for infrastructure and the same is true for Shannon Airport. Commitments were given with regard to the debts. Not alone should Cork or Shannon not have to pay them, but neither should passengers flying through Dublin.

The Dublin Airport Authority has interests other than airports that are not strategic interests vital to the running of airports. The authority is involved in a hotel chain that cannot make a profit in an industry that has increased a hundredfold in the past nine years. It is sitting on an asset.