Yes, that is agreed for the future. It will give greater weight to everybody's contribution.
Deputy O'Flynn spoke about the need for Cork and Shannon Airports to be involved in what is happening with regard to the regional airports. Cork and Shannon airports are strongly commercial and doing very well. Many people use their facilities. Aer Rianta supplies the infrastructure in those airports and has reasonably deep pockets - deeper than mine at present - out of which to provide for infrastructural developments and marketing.
If duty free is abolished it will have a huge effect on the main airports. I ask other countries to join us in trying to retain it. In 1998 there will be a build up of momentum in that campaign when it gains populist support.
Deputy Yates inquired about the future plan. The moneys in both the estimate and the budget are substantially more than what had been envisaged. There is a three year plan. There will be monitoring to see how the different airports are measuring up. The infrastructural work will have to be completed this year and they informed us that this will put them in a better position to operate more commercially. This will apply, particularly to Galway, which is getting a major sum of money. They met us, as did Boston Scientific and various industries. The tender process is under way at present for those who wish to tender for it. I share the Deputy's concern on the effect it will have if commerciality does not enter into it.
When the infrastructural works are completed and the full marketing plan comes into play we will be in a position to see if commerciality is at the heart of it, or if we should take a decision that regional airports must be sustained, within limits, as an arm of regional infrastructure support, just like as Deputy Stagg said, we subsidise rail transport in rural areas. That is our plan for the next three years and it will be monitored.
Deputy Daly welcomed the scheme and mentioned the Shannon lobby. Most lobbies build up and if something is achieved they subside for a while but the Shannon lobby remains at full throttle. They never let up and fair dues to them. The Deputy was present when Continental made its announcement. It is very good for Shannon. They recently presented a very good study. I will never be allowed to forget I am from the west of the Shannon. It is always mentioned to me, especially in correspondence. What Deputy Stagg said about support and continuing it as required is more or less what I said. Deputy Lawlor wondered about one State body, Aer Rianta, collecting airport landing charges from another body which is receiving a State subsidy. It does collect air charges from planes which land. The Deputy raised the subject of Baldonnel on which I need to be briefed.