Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 288: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will confirm reports that he intends to abandon plans to implement the provision of the State Airports Act 2004 separating Cork and Shannon Airports from the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42127/08]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 290: To ask the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 266 of 7 October 2008, if the business plans for the three airports have been received by his Department; his views on media reports that the decision taken in the State Airports Act 2004 to break up the three airports is to be reviewed in view of the recent economic downturn; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42151/08]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 295: To ask the Minister for Transport if there has been a change in his policy on setting up independently run and owned airports at Cork, Shannon and Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42379/08]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 288, 290 and 295 together.

The State Airports Act, 2004 provides the framework for the establishment of Shannon and Cork 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. I have already received the Cork and Shannon business plans and I expect shortly to receive a finalised commentary on those plans by the DAA when they submit their own plan under the Act. Following consideration of the business plans and the views of the three boards, and after consultation with the Minister for Finance, I will bring the matter to Government, taking account of the current state of the aviation market and the economy generally.