Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 84: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received the business plans from each of the State airports; if not, the reason he has not; if he is satisfied with this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6617/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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In finalising their business plans, all three State Airport Authorities must demonstrate their financial and operational readiness for the post-independence era. The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has to be satisfied, in the first instance, that the transition to full autonomy takes account of the challenges currently faced by all three state airports.

Under the State airports Act 2004, the Minister for Finance and I must be satisfied that the Airports have the capacity to operate on a sound commercial basis before giving final approval to the business plans.

I am satisfied that airport restructuring can proceed quickly and that the key challenges facing each of the airports can be addressed. Progress will be contingent on the airport authorities finalising business plans which ensure an efficient and competitive cost base, provide for funding for future capital investment and an appropriate financial mechanism in respect of transfer of Cork Airport assets.

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of US soldiers who have travelled through Shannon Airport in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2799/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that US soldiers transiting through Shannon generally travel on chartered civilian airliners. If weapons are being carried on board, the operator is obliged to seek an exemption from the Minister for Transport from the prohibition on their carriage under the Air Navigation (Carriage of Munitions of War, Weapons and Dangerous Goods) Order 1973. My Department does not collate information with regard to the number of military troops onboard civilian aircraft.

However, on the basis of information collected by Shannon Airport Management, the number of US troops that have passed through Shannon Airport in each of the past five years is as follows: