Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 333 together.

Responsibility for Shannon Development rests with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. She has been in contact with the board of that agency on its role in light of the forthcoming decentralisation of Enterprise Ireland to Shannon and the advent of the new autonomous Shannon Airport Authority.

Regarding the future development of Shannon Airport I refer the Deputy to the relevant sections of my reply to Questions Nos. 59, 89, 91, 96, 107, 123 and 129 on 4 May:

With regard to Shannon, Dublin and Cork Airports, the numbers employed in future years will depend on a number of factors, including 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 airports 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.