Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on his recent contacts with SIPTU regarding strike action at the airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9090/04]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether his plan for the break up of Aer Rianta is having an adverse effect on jobs at Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12491/04]

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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Question 91: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the future of the Great Southern Hotels Group in the context of his proposals to restructure Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12496/04]

Bernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 96: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11004/04]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 107: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11002/04]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11003/04]

Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with regard to his proposals for the break-up of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12494/04]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 59, 89, 91, 96, 107, 123 and 129 together.

I was very pleased SIPTU decided to call off its threatened industrial action at the State airports in the middle of March last and both I and senior officials in my Department will maintain the process of full engagement with the Aer Rianta unions to deal with issues of concern to workers in the company arising from the ongoing implementation of the Government decision to restructure the airports.

I have given repeated assurances to ICTU and the Aer Rianta unions that there will not be any diminution in the tenure or the terms and conditions of employment of workers in the company on transfer to the new independent authorities for Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports. I have also undertaken, subject to agreeing suitable arrangements to deal with commercially sensitive material, to make available key financial information to the trade unions in the context of the current engagement process, which is being facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission, before the text of the amending legislation to give effect to the restructuring is approved by the Government. The information relating to the three airports was provided to the union's financial advisers last Friday and I have sought a response over the next two weeks.

With regard to Shannon, Dublin and Cork Airports, the numbers employed in future years will depend on a number of factors, including the business plans and strategies of the new independent boards and the efforts of the boards, management and staff to grow existing services and attract new services. I have made it clear that I believe that each of the three airports, including Shannon, will be a commercial success and will maximise sustainable employment both within the airport companies themselves and in their catchment areas.

The new arrangements are designed to strengthen and expand each of three airports and to give both Shannon and Cork a fresh start under strong and visionary leadership. Through more focused commercial operation, all three airports can perform better and each can play a greater role in stimulating and supporting regional and national economic activity to the benefit of their customers, both airlines and passengers, and of Irish tourism, trade and industry. Issues relating to Aer Rianta's main subsidiaries such as Aer Rianta International and the Great Southern Hotels Group will be carefully considered in the course of the restructuring process.

In the coming weeks, I will be seeking Government approval for the publication of the Bill to give effect to the restructuring and it is my intention to have the legislation enacted before the summer recess.