Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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Question 231: To ask the Minister for Transport his view on the impact that the debt inferred upon the Cork Airport Authority will have on investment in the greater Cork area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16768/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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While the airport authority does not have direct responsibility for promoting investment in the Cork region, one of the policy objectives in separating out Cork airport is to enable an independent airport, operating to a commercial mandate, to assist in the economic and tourist based development of its catchment area.

Some €180 million has been spent on a capital investment programme at Cork Airport, in recent years, effectively creating a new Cork airport for the benefit of the region. Passenger traffic at the airport has grown significantly in recent years increasing from about 2.2 million in 2003 to 3.2 million in 2007.

I am satisfied that the Cassells report, which has been accepted by both the Cork Airport Authority and the Dublin Airport Authority provides the Cork Airport Authority with a strong funding base post separation.