Aer Rianta break-up ‘set to start in July’

TRANSPORT Minister Seamus Brennan yesterday reiterated that legislation to break up Aer Rianta will be in place by the end of July.

This is notwithstanding concerns raised by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy about the controversial proposal. Minister Brennan yesterday dismissed reports there was a serious rift between himself and Mr McCreevy over his plans to create three independent companies at Dublin, Shannon and Cork.

At Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, the Finance Minister was apparently unconvinced by figures produced by Mr Brennan. He was not willing to allow legislation to be introduced until it could be shown it would not come at a cost for the State. The Cabinet had been expected to give the legislation the green light.