Ahern rejects rift allegations over terminal

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today denied suggestions of a Cabinet rift over who should run the proposed second terminal at Dublin …

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today denied suggestions of a Cabinet rift over who should run the proposed second terminal at Dublin Airport.

Mr Ahern said the Government wanted to do "the best thing for Dublin Airport" from the viewpoint of the public, the management and the staff.

He said a decision on the matter had not been reached and "when the Cabinet comes to decision it will announced immediately".

Last week Minister for Transport Martin Cullen hinted that he favoured the Dublin Airport Authority to build and run the new terminal.

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His comments brought a hostile reaction from the Tánaiste Mary Harney who said ministers should not speak publicly on issues that had yet to be decided.

Meanwhile new figures show debt levels at the DAA rising to a record high of €384 million.

Such a high debt level calls into question the ability of the company to take on a contract to build the new low-cost facility.