Minister favours Shannon split

Transport Minister Leo Varadkar is in favour of Shannon Airport operating as an independent entity.

Mr Varadkar said he agreed with the finding of the Booz and Company report, which found the regional airport was suffering by being part of the Dublin Airport Authority.

“What the Booz report finds is that really Shannon Airport is suffering as part of the DAA group. I’d like to see Shannon Airport operating as an independent entity,” he said.

Speaking at the Irish hoteliers’ conference in Kilkenny, Mr Varadkar said he would be in favour of the airport operating independently but the Government maintaining some stake in the airport as it is an important piece of national infrastructure.

“We would like to retain some level of public control because it is an important asset, either through a holding company or government shares.”

Depending on the method that the Government uses to allow the airport to operate independently, it may require a change in legislation, the minister said.

“Separation can be done without legislation but certain forms couldn’t be done without a change in legislation,” he said.

“That’s the space we are in at the moment — working out the different options on how it can be done and doing a business plan that gives us confidence that there is a good chance of it working, because there is no point in doing it otherwise.”