Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Transport if he is planning proceed with the proposed separation of Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports; if he has finalised and agreed to the business plans for each airport; when the final separation will take place; his views on recent changes to the board of Cork Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39863/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the State Airports Act 2004, the boards of Cork and Shannon airports 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.

On 5 November I was very pleased to be able to appoint persons of the calibre of Mr. Gerry Walsh, as Chairman, and Mr. Dick Lehane and Ms. Annette McNamara to the board of the Cork Airport Authority. They each bring different skills and experience to the work of the board of the Cork Airport Authority and I am confident that all three will make very valuable contributions to the future of Cork Airport.

With the appointment of the Chair and Members of the Cork Board I now expect to be in a position to finalise my decisions in relation to the Airports Business Plans.