Barry Nevin, Branch President of SIPTU's Civil Aviation section, has said the Secretary of the Department of Transport, Julie O'Neill, informed union officials at a meeting last night that there was no business plan for the break up of Aer Rianta into separate companies. The plan is based on a 'belief' that it will work.
A meeting between union and Department of Transport officials took place last night and lasted for around two and a half hours.
A spokesman for the Department said the Minister wanted the independent boards of each of the three airports to be responsible for drawing up separate, dedicated business plans which he believes will be 'a lot more effective than involving consultants in a time consuming analysis'. Tenders have gone out, however, for consultants to examine 'technical' issues such as pension liabilities.
The Minister expects to complete appointments to the three new airport boards in the next few weeks. He also expects to have the necessary legislation passed before the end of the year.
Union representatives from Aer Rianta were today travelling to Sligo to protest outside the Fianna Fail parliamentary party meeting.
