Look to Dublin for source of debt crisis

YOUR editorial on the Government’s somersault on Cork Airport funding was very much to the point, but did not go far enough (Irish Examiner, February 21).

It should be noted that the budgeted cost of the airport project was €120 million and that the (mis)management of the project was down to the then Aer Rianta and, now, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) — leading to a cost over-run of €100m that the Government now wishes to recover from the Cork travelling public.

Apart from the unequivocal undertakings by Seamus Brennan, supported subsequently in writing by the Taoiseach, responsibility for the total debt of €220m should rest squarely with the responsible agency — the DAA.

The suggestion that the land bank near the airport should be ‘thrown in’ to help fund the €100m being foisted on Cork airport management is cynical in the extreme. This land is an integral part of the airport and should not be used as a political football. Is it any wonder that many people are cynical about our political process and do not vote?

Maybe that is why the Government has the gall to spring this one on us in the run-up to a general election. Perhaps it’s time we give our response in the polling stations.

Patrick Ronayne

‘Drake’s View’

Crosshaven

Co Cork.