Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 April 2009
367 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport the scale of the debt at each of the State airports at Shannon, Cork and Dublin at the end of 2007 and 2008; the current position regarding debt at each of the airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15756/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Dublin Airport Authority plc (DAA), which has responsibility for Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports, had overall borrowings of just under €1.1 billion at the end of 2008, as compared with borrowings of almost €500 million at the end of 2007. The increase in debt levels during 2008 is attributable to the €600m Eurobond issued by DAA in July 2008 to fund its €1.2 billion capital investment programme in the period up to 2009.
I understand that at the end of 2008 about €200 million of the borrowings relates to Cork airport, €70 million relates to Shannon airport and the remainder relates to Dublin airport.
368 Deputy Paul Gogarty asked the Minister for Transport when the necessary legislation will be brought before the Houses of the Oireachtas to enable the customs and Border protection facility be put in place at Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15757/09]
Amharc ar fhreagra370 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, further to Parliamentary Question No. 338 of 11 November 2008, if legislation to give effect to the provision of full pre-clearance facilities at Shannon Airport has been finalised; when he expects this legislation to come before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15864/09]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 370 together.
Drafting of the necessary legislation for preclearance is at an advanced stage and I intend to introduce the legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks to enable Shannon Airport to be in a position to commence preclearance in the summer period.
