Michael D. Higgins
Question:19 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on the conclusions of the report on Aer Rianta's future strategic direction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12991/99]
Other Questions. - Aer Rianta Report.
As I said in reply to an earlier question, the report on the future strategic direction of Aer Rianta has been referred by the Minister for Finance and me to a firm of analysts. We hope they will come back to us in late June and I will then go to Cabinet with the report.
Is the Minister aware that the preferred option in the union's report, which was drafted with management, was for increased investment by the Government in the company rather than a sale?
Is the Deputy speaking of the whole company or the hotels?
The whole company. The hotels issue has been gazumped by another party.
We missed the Deputy last night.
Has the Minister looked at that proposal and could she express an opinion about its desirability?
The report will be examined by the analysts. I would not favour an injection of Government cash.
I call it investment.
I do not think it is a good idea.
When the Arthur Andersen report was published the Chairman of Aer Rianta said the State had no business making beds and washing dishes in this day and age. I do not know whether he is a close friend of the Minister but he is a friend and neighbour of the former Taoiseach. Does the Minister agree with that sentiment?
He is not a neighbour – Deputy Reynolds lives in Dublin and Mr. Noel Hanlon lives in Longford. He was reappointed by Deputy Lowry. Did Deputy Yates know that?
Will the Minister reappoint him?
The time to do it will come soon and I would be glad if he would accept the position, but that is another day's work.
Do you agree with him?
That is his opinion and he is entitled to state it. I have my ideas on the subject but I stand over any chairman's right to say what he wishes.
The report advocates the sale of the Great Southern Hotels but does the Minister agree they should be dealt with separately from the main Aer Rianta issue?
That may turn out to be the case when we see what the analysts devise. They have extended their remit to look at the hotels. The main report reached the simple conclusion that the hotels would wish to leave the company. That is fair enough if that is what they advise. We will examine it. The Deputy asked if the hotels can be dealt with separately. That may well be the case.
Does the Minister support the widely held view that Aer Rianta ought to be supportive of and, indeed, involved in providing access to the airports? I have in mind the proposed light rail connection to Dublin Airport which we could get under way after so many delays.
I note its point of view in that regard. There are proposals in which Aer Rianta has expressed such an interest. Clearly, the line to the airport would be a suitable one for a public-private partnership. It would be widely used which is what PPP proposals seek.