Written answers

Tuesday, 22 November 2005

10:00 pm

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 430: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received draft business plans from any of the three State airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35295/05]

Photo of Liam TwomeyLiam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to any change to the future management of the Great Southern Hotel group; his plans to sell off the Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare Harbour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35639/05]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 430 and 443 together.

The three State airport authorities continue to work on preparing their business plans, with the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, co-ordinating the process. In this context, there is a range of issues, including the unsustainable cost base at Shannon Airport, the recent airport charges determination for Dublin Airport by the Commission for Aviation Regulation and the optimum mechanisms for the financing of the new terminal in Cork Airport, that must be considered. These are complex issues which the airport authorities must consider carefully and, as I have indicated previously, I have not imposed any artificial deadlines on the business planning process.

As I have also previously indicated, the Dublin Airport Authority will, as part of its business plan, address the position of its principal subsidiaries, including the future of the Great Southern Hotels group. I will consider the DAA's proposals in consultation with the Minister for Finance and it would not be appropriate to comment about the future of the group or any particular hotel at this stage.

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