Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senators for their contributions on this debate on the future of Shannon Airport. I am glad there has been so much interest in the debate as the airport is vital for the mid-west. As someone who comes from that region, I know that only too well. Even though I am a Tipperary man, I live quite close to the airport on the Clare border near Killaloe. I am therefore very passionate about the airport and have many friends who work there, as well as in Shannon Development and other related companies.

The days of political ambivalence towards the airport had to end. It had been left in that situation since 2004 and it needed to be addressed. The stranglehold over the airport by the DAA needed to end as well because it has to compete. One must remember that this airport is the lifeblood of a whole region. It has major assets which we need to leverage. This plan is about leveraging those collective assets into the future.

I wish to deal briefly with some of the comments Senators have made. A number of Senators referred to the issue of Aer Rianta International, but it was always the intention for ARI to stay with the DAA, even back in 2004 when the Act was passed under an Administration led by Senator O'Sullivan's party. The spokesperson here at the time, who is now Deputy Dooley, voted for it. It was always intended, therefore, that ARI would stay with the DAA. In short, the DAA's financial viability would be compromised if it did not. One must remember that ¤100 million is being written off Shannon Airport's debt. It is integral for balance sheet purposes that it stays there. I appreciate as much as any Member of the Oireachtas what ARI has achieved and the fantastic innovative thinking behind it.

Senators also referred to Knock airport, which should not be an either-or situation. It is about growing the total number of passengers collectively across the west and, dare I say, the mid-west. I think they should grow together. The airport has received substantial funding of up to ¤40 million in State aid, but that is sometimes forgotten by those who think this is an issue of competing to the detriment of Knock. Knock can do very well and I admire many of its achievements. By the way, there is no issue with State aid whatsoever regarding this move.

I know many of the workers in Shannon. In a previous life I used to work for Fáilte Ireland so I got to know many people both in Shannon Development and the airport. There are 254 workers in the airport and 109 in Shannon Development. It is guaranteed that they will transfer under the same terms and conditions. It was protected for the airport workers under the 2004 Act. It is important to ensure the ICTU has representation on the steering group and also on the board, which will be announced in due course.

The transfer of functions to Fáilte Ireland and Enterprise Ireland is a very positive step, which gets rid of many layers of bureaucracy. I am sure Senators would agree with me on that.

Passenger numbers have halved in the airport but we have ambitious targets - 1.5 million this year, 2.3 million in 2017 and 2.5 million in 2021.

Mulcahy, Tony.