Cullen urged to ‘come clean’ on airport debt reports

TRANSPORT Minister Martin Cullen, has been urged to respond to speculation that Cork Airport will be left with a debt of €60 million on its new terminal.

Fine Gael Deputy Bernard Allen urged the minister to “come clean” on recent reports that despite previous promises of a ‘debt-free start’ for Cork Airport Authority (CAA), it will have to come up with approximately a quarter of the €200 million spent on rejuvenating the facility.

Mr Allen said there was a need for Mr Cullen to say if he’d made up his mind on the debt issue and, if so, what exactly is his decision.

Mr Cullen’s predecessor, Seamus Brennan had promised that the CAA would begin life debt-free.

“The Government clearly do not realise the electoral implications for them if they betray Cork yet again and on such a large scale over a very important infrastructural project.

“If these reports are true they will effectively be relegating Cork Airport in importance and causing immense damage to the economic prospects of the entire South-West region. The continued dithering and delays in coming to a decision are effectively paralysing development at the airport,” he said.

“It is incomprehensible that he can’t find €200 million to ensure that one of the most important infrastructural projects in the country is competitive,” the Fine Gael TD added.