Ahern confirms airports will remain state-run

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has confirmed Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports will remain as state-run airports if Aer Rianta is broken up.

Mr Ahern has said the key objective of breaking up Aer Rianta is to give more autonomy to the regions.

The Taoiseach was responding to criticism of the proposed break-up by Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary.

“It is impossible for me to keep Michael O’Leary happy and I don’t have the type of money that he has.

"If he was in the education stream he would be up for bullying but there is one person who he won’t bully and that’s me.”