Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 June 2004
460 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if he will publish the PWC report on the break-up of Aer Rianta; if the report concluded that the break-up makes no economic sense; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17456/04]
View answer461 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the local chambers of commerce in the Shannon region and the Atlantic Technology Corridor Group have argued against the proposals to break up Aer Rianta; and if his attention has further been drawn to the fact that the region has the highest per capita income outside of Dublin and Kildare and that there are widespread fears locally that this will be adversely affected by changes in the management of the airport. [17457/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 460 and 461 together.
PWC has assisted my Department in its analysis of financial projections and data provided both by Aer Rianta at group level and by the chairmen-designate in conjunction with local Aer Rianta management at Shannon and Cork airports. The working papers compiled by PWC do not constitute a consultancy report or study but they do contain confidential and commercially sensitive information and I will not, therefore, be publishing them. These working papers have, however, been provided to the financial advisers engaged by the ICTU and the Aer Rianta unions subject to a strict confidentiality agreement which they entered into with my Department. This sharing of key financial information with the unions' advisers was done in the context of the current engagement process between the unions and my Department which is being facilitated by the Labour Relations Commission.
The work which has been done by PWC in co-operation with Aer Rianta management and its advisers has underscored the fact that there are some major challenges facing the State airports and these challenges need to be addressed. I have made it clear on numerous occasions that I believe that with a fresh start, both Shannon and Cork airports will be a commercial success and each will maximise sustainable employment both within the airport companies themselves and in their catchment areas.
There has been a broad level of support at both national and regional level, including among business interests in the Shannon region, for the Government's decision to establish the three airports as fully autonomous authorities under State ownership. Through more focused commercial operation, all three airports can perform better and each can play a greater role in stimulating and supporting regional and national economic activity to the benefit of their customers, both airlines and passengers, and of Irish tourism, trade and industry. I have also given repeated assurances to the ICTU and the Aer Rianta unions that there will not be any diminution in the terms and conditions of employment of workers in the company on transfer to the new independent airport authorities.
462 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Transport the identity of the 13 consortia from which expressions of interest were received, in regard to the proposal for a new independent terminal at Dublin Airport; the content of the report of the panel of experts; and when a proposal will be brought to Government. [17553/04]
View answerThe report of February 2003 by the expert panel which was chaired by Mr. Paddy Mullarkey on the expressions of interest which my Department received in relation to the independent terminal concept at Dublin Airport is available in the Dáil Library and on my Department's website at www.transport.ie/aviation/publications. The list of companies and consortia which submitted expressions of interest is given in Appendix 1 of the report. I am continuing to give urgent attention to the independent terminal concept and I will bring proposals in the matter to the Government very shortly.
