IRELAND. Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan vowed yesterday to implement the legislation permitting the break-up of state-owned airports company and retailer Aer Rianta before the Dáil’s (parliament) summer recess.
“Some issues of both a legal and financial nature remain to be finalised, and I will be returning to the Government shortly when these issues are clarified,” he said.
Brennan insisted that Aer Rianta’s three airports, Dublin, Shannon and Cork, would be strengthened by their proposed autonomous structure.
“Through more focused commercial operation, all three airports can perform better and each can play a greater role in stimulating and supporting regional and national economic activity to the benefit of their customers, both airlines and passengers, and of Irish tourism, trade and industry,” he said.
But Labour spokesperson on transport, Róisín Shortall claimed the Minister would not meet the schedule. “In recent weeks, we have seen further consultants’ reports which confirm earlier reports that there is no business case for proceeding with the break-up of Aer Rianta,” she said.
Brennan said that the government had set out a 12-month timetable for the break-up, ending in July 2004. “It is May 2004 and I am still of the view that it can be completed within the 12-month schedule envisaged by the government,” he said.
Again, there was no mention of the fate of the company’s international division which has airport and retail interests in several countries abroad.
MORE STORIES ON THE AER RIANTA BREAK-UP
Aer Rianta profits slip and Dublin Pier stalls; but international retail prospers – 27/05/04
Unions blast minister over Aer Rianta break-up – 26/05/04
