Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1953

Vol. 142 No. 9

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport.

Mr. Dillon

asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce the net deficit on the operation of Shannon airport in each financial year since its establishment, including provision for depreciation, interest on capital and staff pensions.

Mr. Lemass

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle I propose to circulate in the Official Report a tabular statement setting out the information sought by the Deputy.

The figures for depreciation, interest on capital and liability for superannuation would not properly be included in a figure purporting to show the net deficit on the operation of Shannon Airport. In the tabular statement which I have circulated the various figures are set out separately.

COST OF OPERATIONS OF SHANNON AIRPORT.

1940-41—1952-53.

Year	Expenditure	Revenue	Operating Deficit	Depreciation and Interest	Liability for Superannuation
	£	£	£	£	£
1940-41	22,277	6,057	16,220	35,469	†Nil
1941-42	31,604	7,724	23,880	40,162	†Nil
1942-43	46,866	14,812	32,054	49,209	1,796
1943-44	73,619	21,323	52,296	54,679	4,245
1944-45	103,748	28,199	75,549	72,332	5,680
1945-46	108,172	15,264	92,908	88,794	7,040
1946-47	158,637	45,732	112,905	118,966	8,386
1947-48	246,963	143,325	103,638	145,586	10,154
1948-49	282,693	157,180	125,513	166,855	12,887
1949-50	311,945	147,246	164,699	206,560	14,392
1950-51	363,014	189,338	173,676	213,300	12,789
1951-52	385,164	202,474	182,690	222,230	17,307
1952-53	369,901	239,883	130,018	227,874	21,919

†Separate figures not available.

NOTE: Rate of depreciation—4 per cent.

Rate of interest—4 per cent. up to 1948-49, 5 per cent. thereafter.

Mr. Dillon

Is the Minister aware that on a previous occasion he gave me a return for some years of the net deficit, including provision for depreciation, interest on capital and staff pensions?

Mr. Lemass

That was an error.

Mr. Dillon

It is not often you let out the truth by mistake.