Airport board ignored in probe

BOARD members at Cork Airport have been snubbed by the body appointed to investigate the airport’s multi-million euro debt controversy.

It has also emerged that BDO Simpson Xavier (BDOSX) were appointed by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and not the Department of Transport, as was previously thought, to compile a report on the funding issue.

This has sparked outrage at the airport as BDOSX were to be appointed as an independent body to work with both the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) and the DAA.

In a further twist, the Cork Airport Authority were contacted by BDOSX yesterday and informed that BDOSX do not intend to engage with the sub-committee set up to look into the funding issue in relation to their work there.

BDOSX were invited by the sub-committee to Cork Airport to engage in talks on the debt issue on Monday, yet BDOSX said they had no intentions to do so.

They said that they were retained by the DAA to complete an assignment in accordance with specified terms of reference agreed with the DAA.

They added that it was their intention to complete their work as requested by the DAA with the assistance of local management and others and to furnish their completed work to the DAA as quickly as possible.

This revelation leaves talks between the two airport authorities at an uncertain stage.

The DAA last night confirmed that it was them who appointed BDOSX to carry out a report on the future funding at Cork Airport. It was previously thought that BDOSX were appointed by the Transport Minister Martin Cullen.

The report on the airport is expected to be completed by Easter when it will be presented to both airports’ management and to Mr Cullen.

Local Fianna Fáil TD John Dennehy said last night he was outraged that this has emerged and said it is unacceptable that it would be suggested that BDOSX would not co-operate with the CAA in their work.

“I will be going to the Taoiseach because this is just not acceptable. BDOSX were given a role to negotiate with both the CAA and DAA and it now looks like this is not going to be the case. I am very concerned,” he said.

Deputy Dennehy said it was his understanding that BDOSX were appointed by Mr Cullen and not the DAA.

BDOSX were contacted but failed to comment on the issue.