I am pleased to inform the Deputy that following the Government decision in principle to separate Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and to merge it with a restructured Shannon Development, the Steering Group that is charged with bringing forward proposals for the implementation of the decision has now been established and held its first meeting yesterday.
The Steering Group is jointly chaired by Mr. Tom O'Mahony, Secretary General at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Mr. John Murphy, Secretary General at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation and includes senior officials from those Departments as well as the Departments of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and Environment, Community and Local Government. The Steering Group, which will be assisted by two task forces, is due to complete its work by the end of November this year. Proposals will then be brought to Government and resulting Government decision implemented as soon as possible thereafter. However, I would not rule out some changes being made in the interim should that be beneficial.