Department stays silent over separation of airports

THE Department of Transport has refused to comment further on a hint by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey that the separation of the three state airports may be deferred.

Under the 2004 State Airports Act, Shannon, Cork and Dublin were to be granted their autonomy once the three airports put in place business plans that were deemed viable by the Government.

But the separation has yet to take place, and over the weekend, Mr Dempsey appeared to indicate it could be deferred because of the deteriorating economic climate.