Aer Rianta defends itself against criticism at Oireachtas hearing

Aer Rianta faced a number of complaints yesterday at a meeting of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport. As the State airports group revealed that a new temporary pier for "low cost" airlines at Dublin Airport would not be completed in time for the summer season this year, it defended repeated criticism of its operations.

Despite strong indications previously from Aer Rianta that it was opposed to the Government's plan to set up its operations at Shannon and Cork as independent entities, the group's chairman, Mr Noel Hanlon, claimed it didn't have "the slightest problem" with moves to establish independent boards for the airports. But chief executive Mr John Burke said any break-up would have implications for the company's publicly-quoted €250 million eurobond. The matter, he said, would be decided by the Government.

Mr Hanlon said an attempt to build a temporary pier in advance of a permanent one due to be completed next year was stalled due to a planning appeal by Ryanair.

He also said Ryanair had collected tax and landing fees on 900,000 unused tickets. Because Ryanair did not refund unused tickets, Mr Hanlon said it had kept up to €27 million in charges itself.

When asked about moves by the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, to sanction an independent terminal in Dublin, the company said Government consultants argued against the option in 1999. That was the company's position, although Mr Hanlon said the possibility of entering joint ventures at the airport would be assessed in a masterplan which was near completion.

Labour's transport spokeswoman, Ms Róisín Shorthall, said Dublin Airport passengers were aggravated over long delays when retrieving luggage. But Mr Hanlon said Aer Rianta had no responsibility for baggage handling and added that attempts to introduce a new check-in system had been resisted by Ryanair and Aer Lingus.

Some committee members asked why Aer Rianta was selling the Torc Great Southern Hotel after taking a quarter stake in a hotel in Derry.

Mr Hanlon said the investment in Derry was minimal, adding that the hotel business was not strategic. He said it was not the job of an airport company to wash dishes in hotels and make beds. The hotel group broke even last year but only due to profits at the Dublin hotel, he said. But if profits made at the Great Southern Hotel at Dublin airport were stripped away, losses at nine other hotels would have been significant.

The committee chairman, Mr Eoin Ryan, said he wanted Ryanair to disclose the amount of money it was making on "no show" passengers. "The committee is seeking a speedy response from Ryanair," he said.