The Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen, has said that it would be reasonable for Cork Airport to accept responsibility for €100m of its debt burden, but has ruled out higher airport charges to fund the debt.
Earlier, Senator John Minihan of the Progressive Democrats said the row over who would pay the €220m debt at Cork Airport could cost the Government votes in this year's general election.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio's News At One, Mr Minihan, who will be standing in Cork South Central in the next election, said questions had to be asked about how committed the Government was to regional development.
When plans to break up Aer Rianta were announced, Cork Airport was promised it would commence business debt free.
It is understood the Government is now suggesting that the Dublin Airport Authority retain €120m of the debt, and Cork Airport Authority take on the €100m remainder.
Mr Cullen described the figure as reasonable when measured against their asset base.
He said that if Cork did not want to take on the debt that was 'fine by him'.
However he warned that the alternative was to wait until Dublin Airport has enough cash reserves to pay Cork's debt.
Given that Dublin Airport has to take on debts of more than €1bn to develop its own infrastructure, that could take considerable time.
Mr Cullen said it was not true that Cork's airport charges would have to be increased to fund the debt.
