Vol. 512 No. 3
47 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she contacted CERT to ascertain its views on the future of the Great Southern Hotel Group; if she has concluded her deliberations on the future of the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26024/99]
I have arranged to meet with Mr. Eamonn McKeon and Mr. Sean Quinn, the chairman and chief executive, respectively, of CERT on Friday, 10 December to hear any views that CERT may wish to put to me concerning the future of the Great Southern Hotel Group. Over the summer months I met and consulted with the staff of all the Great Southern Hotels. More recently, I have had meetings with trade union groups and with local representatives to hear their views. In each case, I advised them that my main consideration would be, of course, to find the right future for the Great Southern Hotels in a way that will also be right for the staff and right for the Irish tourism industry.
I have not yet concluded my deliberations on the matter and I expect to receive shortly the report of the advisers appointed by myself and the Minister for Finance 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, including the proposals in respect of the Great Southern Hotel Group. I will carefully consider the recommendations in that report, and, if necessary, consult further with the various interests, before bringing any proposals to Government in respect of the Great Southern Hotel Group.
