Michael McCarthy (Labour)

The Government has instructed the board of Cork Airport to pay €100 million towards the costs of the construction of the new terminal there. Four years ago, the then Minister for Transport, Deputy Brennan, gave an unambiguous commitment to the both Houses of the Oireachtas and the people of the greater Cork region that once Aer Rianta was broken up and the airports were given autonomy, the new entities would start debt-free. What has happened in the past several days is economically devastating for those who use Cork Airport. It is not pleasant to be given this type of instruction from the Government. What has become of the Minister's clear commitment? Does a political guarantee to an organisation or group of people mean anything?