Ministers challenged on airport debt crisis
Interesting questions were raised by Eoin English’s report headlined ‘Development body to hold emergency meeting on airport terminal debt’ (Irish Examiner, February 14).
Why are our two local ministers not unequivocally supportive of the no-debt scenario as promised repeatedly by their Cabinet colleague, Seamus Brennan, in 2004?
Who is the paymaster for the arbitration process? Is it the Department of Transport or the Dublin Airport Authority? Neither will be concerned about Cork airport’s interests. One can predict a compromise solution that pleases whatever agency writes the cheque. This will not be in Cork’s favour.
Cork airport has effectively been abandoned and, in the meantime, Dublin airport will continue to develop with investment propped up by the sale of Great Southern Hotels.
Shannon, as always, will get political support and will continue as a de facto social welfare sub-office with rampant over-staffing and a ‘why worry?’ attitude. Cork is broke and cannot afford to shelter its passengers from the elements. Its charges will be top of the range while its facilities stagnate.
What a depressing outlook unless local politicians make a stand. It will also require leadership by ICTU and Cork Airport Authority to tackle this head-on.
I live in hope - very faint hope.
Aengus Scally
‘Aloha’
Bellview Place
Cobh
Co Cork
