Ivan Yates
Question:114 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received proposals for the purchase of Cork Airport; and, if so, the Government's response in this regard. [19335/99]
Written Answers. - Cork Airport.
I met yesterday with Mr. Gerry Wycherley and Mr. Niall Welch who outlined their proposals to me in relation to a public private partnership for the ownership and management of Cork Airport.
The Deputy may be aware that the Minister for Finance and I have appointed advisers to examine and evaluate the full range of recommendations made to me by the board of Aer Rianta in respect of the company's future strategic direction. It is expected that the consultants will complete their work shortly. Following the receipt of their report and consideration of their recommendations, I and the Minister for Finance would intend to report to Government with specific proposals in respect of the future of Aer Rianta. No decision on possible alternative ownership arrangements for Cork Airport shall be taken in advance of that. If at some future date, some future Government were to offer ownership of any of the State airports to the private sector, that would, of necessity, involve an open, public tender procedure.