The Taoiseach has defended the Government's decision to break up the State airport authority, Aer Rianta, and establish three independent boards for Cork, Shannon and Dublin airports.
Under the proposals, announced by the Minister for Transport this afternoon, the €250m debts of Cork and Shannon airports will be borne by the new independent Dublin Airport.
Seamus Brennan said that both Shannon and Cork had enormous untapped potential and that the decision meant a fresh start for all three airports.
The Minister said that given the strong growth at Dublin Airport, the burden of debt being imposed on it would not be unreasonable.
He said there would be a three-month transition period which would be supervised by the current Aer Rianta board.
The Minister said privatisation was not on his agenda at present, and said he had earlier rejected proposals for a minority private shareholding in Aer Rianta because of the danger it would lead to a private monopoly.
Board to discuss plans
Unions have expressed concern at the plans to break up the company.
The board of Aer Rianta has announced that it will meet next week to discuss the Government's proposals.
Aer Rianta unions have already threatened industrial action if the Minister breaks up the State body's monopoly.
SIPTU has said its workers were shocked by Mr Brennan's proposals and the union has called a mandatory meeting of its 1,100 members at Dublin Airport on Monday.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions has said the establishment of three interim boards suggests an intention to split up Aer Rianta in the next twelve months.
Congress General Secretary David Begg said this would seriously weaken the company.
Bertie Ahern said the unions needed to look at the bigger picture, which would ultimately result in growth in the tourism industry.
Opposition parties have given mixed reaction to the plans. Fine Gael has given the decision a broad welcome, while the Labour party has attacked the proposals, saying they lack logic.
