Emmet Stagg
Question:95 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline the owners of Connaught Regional Airport, Knock, County Mayo.
Written Answers. - Connaught Regional Airport.
Emmet Stagg
Question:96 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if he will outline (1) the number of shares, (2) the number of shareholders, (3) the names of the shareholders and (4) the names of the board of directors of the Connaught Regional Airport, Knock, County Mayo.
Emmet Stagg
Question:97 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications if his attention has been drawn to the proposed trust to own and-or manage Connaught Regional Airport; if the details of the proposed trust have been made known to him; the names of the proposed trustees; if the operation of such a trust requires his permission; if any of the present shareholders have signed over their shares to this trust; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Emmet Stagg
Question:98 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the amount of land owned by Connaught Regional Airport; if any land owned by the airport has been sold and to whom; if the sale of the land requires his permission; and if he has given permission for any such sale and to whom.
Emmet Stagg
Question:99 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications the total amount of State grants and subventions made to the Connaught Regional Airport; and the arrangements which are in place for the recovery of these grants in the event of the sale or closure of the airport.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 95, 96, 97, 98 and 99 together.
Connaught Regional Airport is owned and operated by a private limited company, Connaught Airport Development Company Limited. The company have an authorised share capital of £100 divided into 100 shares of £1 each. Ten shares have been issued to date. The names of the registered shareholders and the current directors are as follows:
Registered Shareholders
Archbishop Cassidy
Monsignor Horan (deceased)
Mr. Ulick McEvaddy
Mr. John Mahon
Mr. Michael O'Malley (deceased)
Mr. James Ryan
Mr. Seamus Monaghan
Mr. John Dillon
Mr. Cathal Duffy.
In addition, Mr. Michael Honan holds a share certificate but at present is not registered as a shareholder.
Directors
Archbishop Cassidy
Monsignor Greally
Mr. Michael Honan
Mr. Peter Hanley
Mr. John Mahon
Mr. Des Mahon
Mr. James Ryan
Mr. Seamus Monaghan
Mr. John Dillon
Mr. Cathal Duffy.
The proposal to establish a trust whereby the ownership of the airport would be vested voluntarily in a board of trustees by means of a deed of trust is not being proceeded with at this stage. Revised proposals for the restructuring of Connaught Airport Development Company Ltd., and to provide for the future development of the airport are currently under consideration by the Government. I hope to be in a position to announce details at an early stage.
The total area of land owned by the company is 545 acres. None of this land has been sold. No fixed assets of the company may be disposed of without my prior permission for so long as the company is in receipt of Exchequer grant aid.
State grants amounting to £9.858 million have been provided towards the development of the airport. This investment is protected by means of grant agreements dated 28 August 1981 and 13 December 1982 between the Minister for Transport and Connaught Airport Development Company Limited, which provide that the grant will be revoked in the event,inter alia, that the company are wound up or cease, without the Minister's consent, to carry on the undertaking.