Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been fully briefed by the Dublin Airport Authority on their proposals of cutbacks of up to €55 million at the DAA; his views on proposals by the DAA to offer staff €20,000 to take a career break of up to five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23502/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As I indicated in my reply to Question No. 75 of 26 May 2009 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.

As also indicated in my previous reply, 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. As part of this process, I am aware that discussions have commenced between the DAA and the unions representing DAA staff on a major cost recovery programme. I understand that the programme is to be company wide applying to Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports.

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 with a significant decline in traffic at the three State Airports.