Govt U-turn on Airport debt means higher air fares for passengers – Buttimer

People of Cork cannot trust FF & PDs, Fine Gael Cork South Central
candidate Cllr Jerry Buttimer has said: 'The decision by the FF/PD
Government not to honour its public commitment and promise to deliver
Cork Airport as completely debt-free is another example of Cork and
the people of Cork being marginalised'.

'The people of Cork can no longer trust Fianna Fáil and the PDs.
Their hollow empty words and promises are false rhetoric. Again we
have another example of false promises by Fianna Fáil not being
honoured.

'All the Government wants is for the people in the regions to pay
more. This failure to deliver Cork Airport as debt-free means:

- Higher air fares for passengers;
- Higher costs being applied to airlines;
- Increased difficulty in securing new contracts and business;
- Increased financial burden on the airport authority;
- Reduced attractiveness and competitiveness for securing inward
investment.

'If the Government was serious in relation to joined-up thinking,
decentralisation and its National Development plan and spatial
strategy, then Cork and the greater Southwest region would have a
debt-free airport and not a watered-down version.

'Local Fianna Fáil TDs should collectively hang their heads in shame
and explain to the people of Cork how:

- They allowed their Government to renege on a clear commitment;
- Cork Airport now burdened with a €100 million dent will promote and
enhance growth of the airport;
- How this decision will benefit the consumer, local business and the
public of Cork.

'The simple truth of the matter is not that Cork airport is facing
the crippling effect of debt but that Cork City and County will also
share in the fall out of the debt.

'Added to the recent significant job losses the failure of
decentralisation and the pitiful allocation of funding projects to
Cork in the National Development Plan it is clear that Cork is not a
priority for local Fianna Fáil TDs or for the Government. It is clear
that Fianna Fáil have failed Cork airport, the staff and the people
of Cork.'