Aer Rianta break-up to go ahead: Brennan

The Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan, has said that a European Commission decision, which may result in Ryanair having to repay millions of euro, has no bearing on his plans to privatise Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

The low-fares airline may have to pay back money to the Belgian government for discounts it received to land at Charleroi Airport.

The EU is now regarding these as state subsidies.

The decision could have implications for other deals made between airports and the carriers that land at their facilities.

Mr Brennan has met officials from the European Commission in Brussels to discuss the situation and, speaking in the Dáil today, he said whatever the final outcome, his plan to break up Aer Rianta will go ahead.