Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 277: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will consider removing overall responsibility for the operation of Cork and Shannon Airports from the Dublin Airport Authority; if he will allow greater freedom to these airports to govern and develop policy independently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3790/11]

Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 278: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans for the development of Dublin Airport including Terminal 2 and to maximise use of its infrastructure; if he will consider establishing Dublin Airport Authority as a stand alone authority with responsibility only for Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3791/11]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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1I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 and 278 together.

The State Airports Act 2004 provided for the separation of Cork and Shannon into independent autonomous airports. The former Minister for Transport announced on 22 December 2008 that as Minister he would be deferring a decision on the separation of the three State Airports until this year given the very difficult circumstances in the aviation sector.

It would be premature to speculate on any decisions to be taken on airport separation having regard to the current commercial environment facing the three State Airports.

Any plans for the further development of Dublin Airport, including Terminal 2 which was only opened in November last, and to maximise use of its infrastructure are a matter for the DAA.