Ryanair calls for detailed analysis on Pier D

Ryanair has called on the Government to proceed with the planned break-up of Aer Rianta after it was revealed that €7m has been written off by the company over the proposed Pier D extension to Dublin airport.

The low fares airlines was responding to yesterday's figures from Aer Rianta that saw a 44% reduction in profits during 2003.

Head of communications, Paul Fitzsimmons, said today: "Yesterday, Aer Rianta announced a write-off of an incredible €7m on the gold-plated Pier D plans, when not a single blade of grass has been touched.

"What exactly was the €7m spent on? The taxpayers of this country are entitled to an explanation and we are calling on the Department of Transport to immediately publish a detailed analysis," he added.