Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Cathaoirleach for allowing me to raise this matter on the Adjournment.

The Minister of State will be aware that Cork Airport Authority has a vacancy for the position of the cathaoirleach or chairperson of that authority. This vacancy arises from the resignation of Mr. Joe Gantly. Associated with it is a milieu of issues surrounding Cork Airport, namely, its debt, the fact that it has not had a chairperson since the middle of the summer, that a business plan for it has not been published and that the separation of the three State airports, Dublin, Shannon and Cork, has not taken place.

Cork Airport is central to the growth of not only of Cork but the Munster region. The economic vibrancy and vitality of the region is very much dependent on it. Tourism in Cork needs not only a strong airport but one that is marketed well, driven by its board and that has leadership. The attraction of business to the region requires that Cork Airport is sustainable into the future and that it has a competitive executive that manages it. However, what have we got? The airport has no chairperson, no business plan has been published, there has not been a separation of Cork Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and Cork Airport has been laden with a debt.

When the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, was in Cork in September he said he could not appoint a new chairperson to the authority because he had not received the business plan for it from Dublin Airport Authority. Surely the Minister who presides over aviation policy for the country can demand or request from Dublin Airport Authority a business plan for Cork Airport. A number of questions arise. Are we serious about securing the future of Cork Airport, protecting the jobs of the staff there, attracting the opening up of new routes out of it, making it viable and sustaining the growth of the passenger numbers about which we hear so much? Is there anybody in government prepared to show leadership on this matter?

I contend the Government has neglected the board of Cork Airport Authority. It has refused to appoint a chairperson to the authority. It has forced the board to accept a debt that it did not want to accept. Dublin Airport Authority is setting out the plans for the aviation sector, with a business plan for Cork Airport, and it is setting the tone of what happens with the result that Cork and Shannon airports are suffering.

A proactive approach by the Minister, Deputy Dempsey, is needed, not excuses. The Dublin Airport Authority comes under his remit. I hope I am not pre-empting the Minister of State's reply but it is important that the business plan for Cork Airport is released. The Minister said that a chairperson for the airport cannot be appointed until he has sight of the business plan for it. How long must we wait for a chairperson to be appointed? It is ridiculous that no chairperson of Cork Airport Authority has been appointed at a time of economic crisis and recession in this country when the board needs a leader to bring it forward and give it direction and impetus.

This is not a time for inaction but for being proactive. It is time to show support and solidarity with the people of Cork, the board of Cork Airport and the workers who have made a major contribution to the development of that airport. I was in Cork Airport last Sunday and one could drive a bus through the terminal it was so quiet. Is that what we want?