Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 266: To ask the Minister for Transport further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 20 February 2008, the position regarding the business plan for Shannon Airport; if he has concluded his analysis of this report; his plans to have this report independently assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33613/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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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 co-ordinated 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.