The Airport has just released a press release here
Radar replacement scheme to be put forward at December Tynwald - Isle of Man Airport Website
presumably in an attempt to minimise the damage from the interview given to the local radio station by the director. The one where it's vital to replace the radar has to ensure traffic growth.
The real reason is of course simple. Mode C is no longer allowed; Mode S is mandatory from 2011. And it's been in the budget for several years.
Why on earth couldn't she have got that message across clearly at the outset? In fact why do the interview in the first place if you don't know what you're talking about? (Unless it's pure ego, of course...)
The release also talks about replacing the original primary radar installed in 1965 (the Arthur Owens days). That was the Plessey AR1 and I though that got replaced in the nineties. Prepared to accept I'm wrong, but looks to me the facts are being twisted to make things look better or more likely the person writing the release has no idea whatsoever radar is...