Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 52: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the stage of the separation of Cork, Dublin and Shannon airports; if he has provided the required clarifications for Cork Airport Authority's business plan; if he plans to proceed with the separation of the three airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32518/08]

Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 105: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding the future of Cork Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 and 105 together.

The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork as independent airports. As part of the airport restructuring process the boards of Cork and Shannon airport are required to prepare business plans for eventual separation. All three airport business plans have to be coordinated by the Dublin Airport Authority for eventual approval by the Minister for Finance and myself. Among the requirements to be satisfied in advance of separation is the need to ensure the financial sustainability of all three state airports.

I have already received the Cork and Shannon business plans but I expect shortly to receive a finalised commentary on those plans by the DAA when they submit their own plan under the Act. I would expect DAA's commentary to address recent trends in the aviation market, the challenges facing the State airports and the financial and operational aspects of restructuring.