Bernard Allen
Ceist:34 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on recent reports that Cork Airport may be sold to private enterprise. [21711/99]
Written Answers. - Air Services.
Proinsias De Rossa
Ceist:40 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her views on retaining Dublin, Shannon and Cork Airports within a single structure under any proposals on the future of Aer Rianta; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21779/99]
Ivan Yates
Ceist:57 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has to implement the report (details supplied) into the future of Aer Rianta; and, if so, when will she bring proposals to the Government regarding the company's future. [20799/99]
Bernard Allen
Ceist:58 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will make a statement on her views towards the privatisation of Aer Rianta. [21710/99]
Nora Owen
Ceist:62 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has received to privatise Shannon Airport; and the assurances she will give to those concerned with the airport that their transatlantic traffic status will be retained. [20823/99]
Ivan Yates
Ceist:63 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if it is her policy to support the division of the three airports under the ownership of Aer Rianta into separate units or the retention as a single entity; and the discussions, if any, she has had with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on this matter. [20797/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 40, 57, 58, 62 and 63 together.
Over the past few months, I have met and consulted with delegations of the staff of the airports, the Aer Rianta union group, the relevant chambers of commerce and other interested parties to hear their concerns and views regarding the ownership of the airports. This process of consultation was completed this morning when the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Enterprise and Transport discussed the matter.
Deputies will be aware that the Minister for Finance and I have appointed Warburg Dillon Read-AIB 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, and after consultation in the normal manner with my fellow Ministers, I intend to bring specific proposals to Government in respect of the future strategic development of Aer Rianta.
No decision on possible alternative ownership arrangements for any of the three State airports shall be taken in advance of that. I have not had any discussions with the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment in the matter.
With particular reference to the Deputy's question on Shannon Airport, I have received no proposals for its privatisation and I assure the Deputy that it is not my intention to propose any change in relation to the airport's transatlantic traffic status.
In any event, if at some future date, a Government decision were taken to offer ownership of any of the State airports to the private sector, that would, of necessity, involve a public tendering procedure open to all interested parties.