Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 241: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the implications that the current aviation situation is having on passenger numbers through all Irish airports including Shannon Airport; the implications for the economy of the mid-west region; his plans to put in place a series of measures to sustain passenger numbers through Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19756/09]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 248: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the financial crisis facing the Dublin Airport Authority where 400 job losses are on the cards; if he has held discussions with the DAA regarding its plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19758/09]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 249: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the aviation crisis affecting all airports here including Shannon Airport; the implications for the regions economy; his plans to put into place a series of measures to sustain passenger numbers through airports here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19759/09]

Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 254: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed on the proposed loss of up to 400 jobs at the Dublin Airport Authority; the steps he is taking to protect aviation jobs and the Irish aviation industry in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20042/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 248, 249 and 254 together.

Issues relating to business matters generally and employment levels in particular at the three state airports are day-to-day commercial matters for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) in which I have no statutory function. The reality is that the world wide economic downturn has had a seriously negative impact on the aviation industry generally and this in turn has severely affected the financial position of the DAA. The recently published DAA annual report for 2008 shows that passenger number arrivals at the three State airports are down 0.6% which is the first fall in passenger numbers for 17 years. I understand that there have been further declines in the first quarter of this year.

I know that following the announcement of its annual results for 2008, which saw a drop in Group profit of 28% from 2007, the DAA has been reviewing all aspects of its business, with a particular focus on costs, including capital development and operational expenditure. I also understand that in recent days discussions have commenced between the DAA and the airport unions on a major cost recovery programme. The programme is to be company wide applying to Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports.

DAA has informed me that it has a series of traffic incentive schemes in place in Shannon to promote growth in traffic and to stimulate it across a number of regions and routes. In addition it is anticipated that the introduction of Pre-clearance at Shannon Airport will boost development at the airport and open a range of potential opportunities for services between Shannon and the United States.