O’Leary claims Ahern will be cross-examined

RYANAIR chief executive Michael O’Leary yesterday claimed Taoiseach Bertie Ahern would be cross-examined in the High Court over the Government’s decision to award the construction of the second terminal at Dublin airport to the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).

In Shannon Airport, Mr O’Leary confirmed papers have been served on the Government in relation to Ryanair’s legal action over the decision. The case is being taken by Ryanair under EU competition and public procurement laws.

“We have our first hearing in October and expect to have a formal hearing before Christmas which will be great fun, because if it goes to a hearing, the defence witnesses on behalf of the Government will be Bertie Ahern and Minister for Transport Martin Cullen,” said Mr O’Leary.

“We can’t wait to have our glorious leader explaining the deals done behind closed doors with (ICTU general secretary) David Begg and the union crew.

“We’ll be examining them. It is about the only way we will get a straight answer out of Bertie: what was the deal done with the unions?”

On a previous visit to Shannon, Mr O’Leary said: “What is wrong with the decision is that, no more than any county council or semi-State company you can’t allocate the construction project to your wholly owned subsidiary.

“It has to be put out to competition and put out to tender, particularly when 13 private enterprises have offered to build the terminal at no cost to the taxpayer.”

When asked, a spokesman for the Taoiseach said it was a matter for the Department of Transport.

A spokesman for Minister Cullen said: “Whatever about the facts, when it comes to Michael O’Leary, there’s always fun.”

But he added he had a right to pursue a case as “we live in a democracy”.

Last night, one legal expert said he thought it unlikely Mr Ahern or Mr Cullen would be called as witnesses, as a judge would prefer to see if the case could go on without them.