New 'way forward' for airport provision

Tánaiste's view: The agreement on the future of Aer Rianta includes provision for increasing passenger capacity at Dublin airport, the Tánaiste has said.

Ms Harney reiterated her support for an independently-operated second terminal and added: "we've reached an agreement on a way forward in relation to that."

Legislation setting up shell companies at the three airports would be published on Monday and would prepare the way for growth in passenger numbers, she said.

"It's up to us to implement the Programme for Government. We want to grow employment in Ireland. We want to grow tourism, and we want to grow business in Dublin and the regions."

Trade union representation in any new terminal was not a matter for the Government, she added.

"We've always operated on the basis of a voluntarist approach in relation to this. The Government acknowledges the right of people to join trade unions for the purposes of collective bargaining.

"But it's a matter between employers and employees. The Government doesn't legislate for union membership."

This was an "unusual" approach, she admitted, but it had served Ireland very well and underpinned the economy's success.