Transport plans – Travelling public must not suffer

WITH the future of Ireland's three main airports in the balance, there is more than a whiff of truth in Labour's charge that the Government is deliberately keeping the text of the Bill for the break up of AerRianta under wraps until after the elections.

That seems to be the reality as the draft schedule of business for the Dáil indicates the State Airports Bill will be taken on Tuesday and Thursday next week.

But of one thing we can be sure, Transport Minister Séamus Brennan is unlikely to say anything that would rock the boat at this critical stage.

Having had his wrist slapped by Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy over the inadequacy of the business plan justifying the dismantling of the airport group, Mr Brennan would be unwise to further upset the voters of Dublin, Shannon or Cork.

Effectively, he has been told to go back to the drawing board and come up with a better plan. Indeed, the minister is being accused of Disneyland economics on the Aer Rianta question.

The influential Congress of Trade Unions also believes the case for splitting Aer Rianta has not been made.

On another front, Mr Brennan is facing even more trouble with the CIÉ group of unions over his planned break-up of the State-run bus and rail monopoly.

After failing to secure assurances about their future from department officials, CIÉ's second biggest union yesterday pulled out of negotiations.

Adding to the Government's problems, Aer Rianta workers appear increasingly militant. They have instructed SIPTU president Jack O'Connor to get assurances from the Taoiseach that he will honour his publicly stated commitments in relation to the company.

The issue is hanging like a Sword of Damocles over the current round of social partnership talks aimed at hammering out a wage deal for the next 18 months.

In the present climate, it would be hard to disagree with the prediction that when the text of the Airports Bill is published, there could be a groundswell of anger among both Aer Rianta workers and those whose jobs hinge on successful and efficient national airports at Dublin, Cork and Shannon.

There is considerable merit in the argument that people should be entitled to know the terms of legislation before the local elections take place. It is equally important that members of the Dáil be afforded adequate time to study this important Bill.

There is no denying that the long-suffering public deserve a far more efficient transport system than they are getting, but it would be counter-productive if, for instance, passenger charges at Dublin Airport were to go from being the lowest in Europe to the highest as a result of breaking up Aer Rianta.

With the prospect of trouble erupting at the country's airports and in the bus and rail services, it is imperative for Government and unions to engage in meaningful negotiations.

On both sides, there must be a genuine aim of reaching a fair deal and averting industrial strife.

Otherwise, it could be a long, hot summer of discontent and inconvenience for the travelling public.