TTT, here is the text of that Irish Examiner article in full.
25/04/06
Ahern urged to intervene in airport row
By Alan Good
CORK City Council last night called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern personally to intervene in the row over the €160 million debt for Cork Airport’s new terminal.
The council including 11 Fianna Fáil members voted in favour of a motion stating their regret at Transport Minister Martin Cullen's insistence that no funding will be approved to service the potential debt.
Ahead of tonight's Seanad debate on the implications of the break-up of Aer Rianta on Cork and Shannon airports, the council asked the Taoiseach to help "resolve a situation that could hinder any further development at Cork Airport".
Cork Airport Authority (CAA) has for months been locked in a bitter dispute with Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) over who will carry the cost of the new terminal, due to open next month.
The authorities were appointed after the break-up of Aer Rianta in 2003.
Mr Cullen's predecessor as Transport Minister, Seamus Brennan, pledged in 2003 that Dublin would carry the debts of both Cork and Shannon following the break-up, but the DAA are now refusing to do so.
Last night's motion was proposed by Labour Councillor Michael O'Connell, who is also chairman of the South West Regional Authority.
However, it did not pass without incident, as Socialist councilllor Mick Barry angered councillors with a suggested amendment that removed any reference to the DAA. Councillors voted overwhelmingly against Mr Barry's amendment, having agreed to remove the word 'deplores' from the motion by request of Fianna Fáil councillor Tom O'Driscoll.
The council has asked the DAA for co-operation on the issue.
"The council is requesting that the Taoiseach instruct the DAA to either service the proposed debt at Cork Airport, or enter into a leasing agreement with the CAA at a nominal fee that would allow Cork Airport to continue to develop in the years ahead," read the motion. Mr Cullen has so far refused to set a deadline as to when the issue will be resolved, but has said he "wants to see three strong State airports".
The Seanad debate will take place after the Labour Senate group secured it in private members' time, following a request by Cork-based councillor Ciarán Lynch. "We're not saying that Dublin Airport should be saddled with all the debt, but we believe Cork and Shannon must be given a clean sheet if they are to have a fresh start," he said.