Vol. 505 No. 1
25 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to sanction the increases in charges sought by Aer Rianta in respect of its aeronautical charging policy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12982/99]
Aer Rianta will shortly submit to me its proposals for a revised charging structure for the State airports. These proposals were prompted by the funding requirements for Aer Rianta's heavy capital expenditure programme and the possible impact of the loss of duty free sales. In anticipation of Aer Rianta's proposal, I recently appointed Indecon Economic Consultants to assist me in my examination of that submission. It is expected that it will take the consultants approximately two months to complete their work.
In my consideration of any proposal in relation to airport charges, I will take all relevant factors into account, including the impact any change in the level of charges would have on airlines, and, consequently, on the travelling public. I will also have regard to the impact of any change in EU policy on duty free. As always, I will take into account the views of interested parties before reaching a final decision on airport charges.
