Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to fast track the independence of Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3477/08]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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Question 134: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans to fast track the independence of Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3476/08]

Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Transport when it is expected that Cork and Shannon Airports will become independent of the Dublin Airport Authority in view of the fact that the State Airports Act 2004 was passed in 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3491/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 174: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is his intention to make Shannon Airport an independent privately owned airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3360/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 118, 134, 169 and 174 together.

The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. Under the Act, both the Minister for Finance and I will have to be satisfied as to the state of operational and financial readiness of the three airports before any vesting of assets can take place.

I have no intention of privatising either airport.

The actual timing of airport restructuring will depend on the creation of the appropriate conditions that will ensure the financial sustainability of each of the three State Airports. The restructuring process will require coordinated strategies for the achievement of operational and financial readiness of each airport. In this regard, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) has a key role to play in finalizing the financial framework and coordinating the individual business plans for the three airports that will enable airport separation to take place.

Both the Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities recently submitted their draft business plans to the DAA and I understand that discussions are underway between the parties on the content of the plans.

The airport authorities' plans and the DAA's views on them are currently being considered within my Department and I hope to be in a position to progress these matters in the near future.