Written answers

Thursday, 10 February 2005

5:00 pm

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 185: To ask the Minister for Transport the detailed breakdown of Shannon Airport's financial performance for each year from 1990 to 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4326/05]

Photo of Pat BreenPat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 186: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the Shannon Airport business plan; if it has been received by his Department; when discussions will start between his Department and the trade unions; when these discussions will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4327/05]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to answer Question Nos. 185 and 186 together.

The published annual reports and accounts of Aer Rianta, now Dublin Airport Authority, for the years 1990 to 2003 are available in the Oireachtas Library. Throughout that period, Shannon Airport was a business unit within the group and there was no requirement to publish separate financial accounts for the airport. I am not, therefore, in a position to give the detailed breakdown requested by the Deputy.

With regard to the business planning process for Shannon Airport, I refer the Deputy to my reply of last week to his Question No. 132 on 3 February 2005.

The new Shannon Airport Authority was incorporated in September 2004 and, in line with the framework provided by the State Airports Act 2004, it is envisaged that the new authority would, in due course, own and operate Shannon Airport. In accordance with the 2004 Act, each of the new airport authorities, including the Shannon Airport Authority, is required to prepare a comprehensive business plan for their airport and this work is currently ongoing. The formulation of these business plans will be a key aspect of achieving operational and financial readiness on which both I and the Minister for Finance must be satisfied before the assets of Shannon and Cork airports are vested in the new airport authorities.

Among the measures required for the future development of Shannon Airport on a successful and sustainable basis in an increasingly competitive environment are traffic growth and the need to address the airport's cost base. It has been recognised for some time that costs in Shannon are high relative to comparable airports. Under the overall stewardship of the Dublin Airport Authority the Shannon Airport Authority is seeking to address this issue in consultation with union representatives.

I am confident that the new boards of the three airport authorities will successfully meet the challenges ahead.

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