Former Irish Congress of Trade Unions General Secretary Peter Cassells has been drafted in by Transport Minister Noel Dempsey to mediate between the two parties in the bitter dispute, with the industrial relations expert due to report back by Friday, March 7.

Minister Dempsey has warned the Cork Airport Authority that if a resolution cannot be reached by the March deadline the government will have to re-consider the policy of creating an independent airport company for Cork and he will be forced to bring alternative proposals to the Cabinet.

The Cork Airport Authority yesterday issued a one-line response to Peter Cassells’ involvement in the on-going row, which said, “The CAA welcomes this initiative by Minister Dempsey. We support the initiative and hope that it will help to move the process forward”.

The threat has invoked an angry response from opposition parties, with the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee and TD for Cork North Central, Bernard Allen accusing the Minster of “passing the buck” on the airport issue.

Speaking in Cork yesterday, Deputy Allen said, “Minister Dempsey is playing games with a very important issue. By appointing Peter Cassells to mediate he is effectively passing the buck to a third party, a common tactic of this government. Clearly he is trying to wash his hands of the responsibility of seriously damaging the future prospects of Cork Airport.

“The Government is still reneging on its promise of a debt-free Cork Airport, and that should not be forgotten. Even worse, by threatening to keep Cork under the control of the DAA the Minister has effectively given them the upper hand in the negotiations. There is no incentive for the DAA to thrash out an agreement because they now know that they will maintain control of Cork if a deal is not reached. This is nothing short of a political cop out on the part of the government and it is becoming an all too regular story in Cork.”

Fianna Fáil TD Billy Kelleher says that Cork Airport can sustain a certain level of debt, and that the most important issue now is ensuring the airport becomes independent and competes on a level footing.

“I hope they go in on good fate and come to a fair and equitable arrangement. Most people are concerned with the airports ability to compete. But with the new terminal and services in place and with an improved infrastructure over the coming years Cork Airport can expect to benefit from an increased catchment area which will ensure it can support itself independently.”

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