Government denies Aer Rianta legislation claims

THE Government last night trenchantly denied that the legislation allowing the break-up of Aer Rianta was put together by an outside legal firm.

The controversial State Airports Bill passed all stages in the Oireachtas yesterday, but not before the leader of the Seanad, Senator Mary O'Rourke, claimed it was flawed and alleged it was drafted by leading solicitors firm, Matheson Ormsby Prentice, rather than parliamentary draftsmen.

Continuing her attacks on the Minister for Transport Seamus Brennan's proposals, Ms O'Rourke supported the claim by Fine Gael that there was an error in the drafting of the bill.