Madam, - At long last, some action. Three years after Bertie Ahern's 2002 election manifesto promised that a low-cost terminal facility would be put in place at Dublin Airport in time for the summer 2003 season, the Taoiseach has finally sprung, catlike, into action. The media reported on Friday that a second terminal for Dublin airport was "discussed" at a high-level meeting between the Taoiseach and senior trade union representatives.
That's grand. We can all relax now. The sun is in its sky, because Comrade Bertie is "discussing" a second terminal with the people who have closed the first terminal twice in the past two years. Irish passengers and visitors no longer need to worry about the Third World conditions at Dublin airport, the congested terminal, the inadequate seating or the shortage of car parking because Comrade Bertie is "discussing" it with SIPTU. How's that for decisive action - three years later?
Isn't it a pity that this Taoiseach is always one meeting short of a decision? Why doesn't he have a meeting with people who actually know something about competing terminals such as passengers or airlines? Only in socialist republics such as North Korea, Cuba, and Drumcondra, do the interests of our socialist leaders and the trade union comrades continue to take precedence over the needs of consumers and competition.
And I thought for one brief moment that Bertie would actually make a decision on a competing second terminal? Silly me. - Yours, etc.,
MICHAEL O'LEARY, Chief Executive, Ryanair, Dublin Airport.