Aer Rianta break-up legislation to be unveiled

Legislation paving the way for the break-up of Aer Rianta is due to be published today.

It is believed the State Airport Bill 2004 will propose splitting the airport authority into three separate bodies for Cork, Shannon and Dublin.

The break-up is expected to be delayed until 2005 after unions fought for a stay at last week’s national pay deal talks.

The separation of Aer Rianta was the most contentious issue for the unions with three new autonomous boards being set up.

An introduction of a second terminal at Dublin Airport has also been fiercely opposed by the unions.

Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy has vowed to ensure the best financial deal for Aer Rianta and said he would not replace existing deals with worse.

The new board of Dublin Airport will have full independence while the boards of Shannon and Cork airports will have more limited powers.

If Shannon and Cork produce satisfactory business plans by April 2005, assets will be transferred from Dublin Airport to give them full independence.

SIPTU, which represents airport workers, said it still fundamentally disagreed with the break up of Aer Rianta.

Meanwhile Aer Rianta’s 10-year development plan is not due to be put before Government until later in the week, and it is not expected to be made public for some days after.