Plans 'mean losses for Cork Airport'

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has reiterated the Government’s belief that the proposed break-up of Aer Rianta would lead to an improved economic future for Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Mr Ahern was responding to questions in the Dáil from Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte.

Mr Rabbitte had quoted from an unpublished consultants’ report that said the proposed Aer Rianta break-up would leave Shannon Airport economically non-viable and Cork Airport suffering hefty annual losses.

The Labour leader said the report showed that the Government’s Aer Rianta plans were driven by right-wing economic ideology.

Mr Ahern insisted that the three airports under the company’s control would fare better as independent, competing entities.