Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I just want to put on record my thanks to Mr. Ó Conghaile for his work at the IAA. His departure was a surprise and the fact that he is potentially moving to Wizz Air poses different questions. The issues of concern to me are not really related to Senator Craughwell's point. Mr. Dalton Philips has stepped down as the chief executive of the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, and we now have a new interim appointee. I wish her well in her position. She is a former financial controller and is a very competent and capable person. Mr. Ó Conghaile is leaving the IAA and there will be an interim appointee to replace him too. At a time when our aviation sector is in a very precarious position, I am concerned that we are losing corporate knowledge of significant status.

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Naughton and congratulate her on the appointment of Ms Paula Cogan to the board of Cork Airport. My apologies, she was appointed to the board of the DAA but I wish she was appointed to the board of Cork Airport. I thank the Minister of State for appointing Ms Cogan to the board of the DAA for a number of reasons, some of which are related to the points made by Senator Craughwell. First, the appointment of Ms Cogan brings a person of significant status to the board. Second, her knowledge and understanding of the tourism sector, the aviation industry and the strategic importance of Cork Airport to that industry cannot be overstated. It is significant. Ms Cogan comes with a wealth of corporate experience and is also the former president of the Cork Chamber of Commerce. Her appointment by the Minister of State is an enlightened one. I do not want be patronising but it is a wonderful appointment for Cork because Ms Cogan will bring to the board of the DAA not just a Cork perspective, a business perspective or a woman's perspective but a brilliant perspective that will enhance the operation of the DAA. I thank the Minister of State for Ms Cogan's appointment because we have a real need to understand the aviation sector.

To be fair to the Minister of State, she was very proactive during the summer on aviation-related issues. We have significant challenges, not least with Aer Lingus. I know I am digressing and I will not digress further but will return to that matter later. We have huge issues with Aer Lingus in how it is behaving towards the people of Ireland and, in particular, the people who use Cork Airport.

I stand primarily to say that I am concerned about the loss of corporate experience and wisdom while also rejoicing in the appointment of Ms Cogan to the board of the DAA.