Let those to blame for the cost spiral pay for it

THE costs of modernising Cork airport include an expense overrun of between €100 million and €140m.

This has doubled the cost of the project and seems to be the principal cause of the arguments between the Government, Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) and Cork Airport Authority (CAA).

May I suggest a straightforward resolution based on commercial accountability?

The overrun results either from poor initial estimating or from poor project management.

Either way the authority responsible for the overrun should also be the authority accountable for its cost.

Thus if the DAA mismanaged the project, it should pay for the overrun. If, on the other hand, the CAA is responsible, it should pay.

For the Government to pick up the costs of mismanagement out of public revenue would be a shocking commercial message.

Transport Minister Noel Dempsey must make sure the board of the responsible authority fully accepts its financial accountability for the overrun. To do anything else would be to let poor management off the hook and be a sign of weakness.

Donal Fellows

Cois na hÁbhainn

Bailick Road

Midleton

Co Cork