Meeting with Cullen on airport debt ‘unlikely’

HOPES faded last night that Cork’s political representatives would obtain an urgent meeting with Transport Minister Martin Cullen to discuss the potentially crippling €80 million debt facing the city’s airport.

Enterprise Minister Micheál Martin said such a meeting is unlikely to take place before the conclusion of a mediation process between the Cork and Dublin airport authorities. “That process is now under way,” he said.

He also defended former Transport Minister Seamus Brennan who, during the announcement of the break-up of Aer Rianta in 2003, said Cork and Shannon airports would start independent operations debt free.

“Seamus had a very clear vision,” Mr Martin said. “But the practical working-out of that process still needs to be done.”

Mr Martin was tasked with arranging a meeting between the current Transport Minister, Mr Cullen, and a cross-party delegation of Cork politicians following a meeting on February 13, which was called by Lord Mayor Deirdre Clune (FG), to deal with the airport debt issue.

But last night, Mr Martin said the timing of any meeting with Mr Cullen was for him to decide.

He said it was unlikely to happen before the talks between the two authorities are complete.

“Ultimately this will be a political decision,” he said.

But Fine Gael’s Bernard Allen called on Government ministers to stop hiding behind consultants.

“This is a smokescreen. They must come out from behind the shield of consultants,” he said. “It was a political promise that Cork Airport would start independent operations debt free and it requires political action.”

BDO Simpson Xavier were appointed to broker the talks between the two airport authorities.

That appointment itself sparked controversy in Cork given the firm’s previous business relationship with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

Despite the controversy, they are expected to issue a report on who should carry the 160m cost of Cork Airport’s new terminal before Easter.

There are fears that the Cork Airport Authority (CAA) may have to carry half the cost of its new terminal, due to open on May 12.

The CAA is considering massive hikes in its landing and passenger charges to help it service any future debt levels.

Ryanair has threatened to axe some of its nine routes out of Cork if charges go up.