Vol. 510 No. 5
99 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if her attention has been drawn to the campaign being waged by unions with staff in Aer Rianta for the retention of all airports in the group; the consultations, if any, which have taken place with the staff or unions involved; her policy on this issue; and when an announcement on the future policy for Aer Rianta will be announced. [23122/99]
I am aware of the campaign referred to by the Deputy. I have received considerable correspondence on the subject, as have Deputies from the Cork and Shannon regions.
In addition, over the past few months, I have met and consulted with delegations of the staff of the airports and the Aer Rianta trades union group to hear their concerns and views regarding the ownership of the airports.
I advised them that I and the Minister for Finance 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 and that it is expected that the consultants will complete their work shortly. I also advised that following the receipt of their report and careful consideration of their recommendations, I intend to go to Government with specific proposals in respect of the future of Aer Rianta. No decision on possible alternative ownership arrangements for the State airports shall be taken in advance of that.
