Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 310: To ask the Minister for Transport when he will make a decision on the independence of the Shannon Airport Authority under the State Airports Act 2004; his views on the business plan lodged by the SAA; if the SAA will be viable if granted its independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14234/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon, Cork and Dublin 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.

The recent decision of the Cork Airport Authority to accept the recommendations put forward by Peter Cassells with regard to the separation of the CAA from the DAA will allow the airports to proceed with the next steps for separation of Cork and Shannon airports from the DAA. A process of engagement will now commence with all the relevant parties on implementation and the technical and legal issues involved will be progressed by the airport authorities and my Department.

It is my intention therefore to proceed without delay to effect the full separation of the three State airports as set out in the State Airports Act 2004. This process will involve the preparation of revised business plans taking account of the Cassells' recommendations. In due course the business plans would be submitted to the Minister for Finance and myself for approval.

Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Transport the position in respect of negotiations on providing a US customs and border protection post at Shannon Airport; if he expects an agreement to be made in 2008 with the US authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14235/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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U.S. proposals for the provision of pre-clearance facilities at Dublin and Shannon Airports were submitted to my Department in late December 2007.

Formal negotiations on the proposals commenced with the U.S. authorities on 29 January last and additional documentation has been received from the U.S. side. Further discussions with the U.S. authorities are envisaged in the coming months. Given that the matter is still under negotiation it is too early to say when an agreement can be concluded.