Airport debt decision could prove costly, says Minihan

A GOVERNMENT Senator launched a scathing attack on the Government yesterday over the controversial Cork Airport debt issue.

Former PD parliamentary party secretary, John Minihan, also admitted that Government attempts to saddle the airport with a €100 million debt would cost it seats in the general election.

Mr Minihan said he was furious and accused Transport Minister Martin Cullen of reneging on a Government pledge to give the airport debt-free status after the break-up of Aer Rianta.

“It was promised, it should be honoured,” he said.

He has spoken with Tánaiste Michael McDowell and Health Minister Mary Harney seeking party support for his stance.

“In 2004 former Minister of Transport Seamus Brennan stated he would be leaving the debt for construction of the new terminal where it belongs, with Dublin,” he said.

“That promise has now been reneged on by Minister Cullen and the Government. I am extremely angry at this news and the ‘flip-flopping’ of the Minister on this issue.”

In February 2005, Mr Minihan questioned Mr Cullen on the future of Cork’s debt-free status.

The Minister said that the distribution of assets between the three former Aer Rianta airports — Dublin, Cork and Shannon — would be in “compliance with the capital maintenance rules and other provisions of the Companies Acts”.

Mr Minihan called on the Minister yesterday to clarify just which provisions of the acts provide for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to get all the assets of the former Aer Rianta while Cork gets the debt.

“The figure of €100 million seems to be completely arbitrary, a figure plucked from thin air,” he said

“The minister needs to clarify what other assets the DAA propose to strip from Cork. I cannot see how the board of an independent Cork Airport Authority (CAA) can possibly stand over a business plan which has to deal with a €100 million debt.”

He congratulated the CAA for their stance on Monday when they directed chairman Joe Gantly to write to the Taoiseach stating their refusal to take on the debt.

He also called for clarification on reports that consultants who advised the Government on the break up of Aer Rianta were paid €300 million.

“If true this seems like a case of the consultant culture gone made. The Minister needs to explain this.”