Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 89: To ask the Minister for Transport when the break up of Aer Rianta will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41783/06]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 1134 of 27 September 2006, if decisions have been made regarding the future financial sustainability of Cork Airport, in particular the funding of the new terminal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41730/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 89 and 142 together.

All three State Airport Authorities must demonstrate their financial and operational readiness for the post-independence era. Recognising that the airports will require coordinated strategies for the achievement of this operational and financial readiness, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has to be satisfied, in the first instance, that the transition to full autonomy takes full account of the challenges currently faced by the DAA. Between now and end 2009 the DAA will be required to finance a €1.2 billion investment programme that includes Terminal 2 and other important projects. I note that the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has confirmed its intention to review the current airport charges determination because of the need to take account of the DAA's 2006 Capital Investment Plan.

The actual timing of airport restructuring will be contingent on the creation of the appropriate conditions that will ensure the financial sustainability of all three State Airports. Cork's future autonomy will be considered in the light of the other challenges being faced by DAA at present. Accordingly the transition to autonomy will depend on the approach to funding capital investment into the future, the optimum mechanisms for allocating airport assets among the three State airports and all relevant aspects of the three airports' financial sustainability.