PART 2

Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities

(Restructuring of Aer Rianta)

4. —In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires—

“Act of 1977” means Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Act 1977;

“Aer Rianta” means Aer Rianta, cuideachta phoiblí theoranta;

“Companies Acts” means Companies Act 1963 and every enactment which is to be construed with it as one Act;

“company” other than in section 15 , means Dublin Airport Authority, Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority or, as the case may be, any of them;

“Cork Airport” means the State airport known as Cork Airport;

“Cork Airport Authority” means Cork Airport Authority, public limited company;

“Cork appointed day” means the day appointed under section 5 to be the appointed day in respect of Cork Airport Authority;

“Dublin Airport” means the State airport known as Dublin Airport;

“Dublin Airport Authority” means Dublin Airport Authority, public limited company;

“Dublin appointed day” is to be construed in accordance with section 5 (4);

“functions” includes powers and duties, and a reference to the performance of functions includes, with respect to powers and duties, a reference to the exercise of the powers and the carrying out of duties;

“recognised trade union or staff association” means a trade union or staff association recognised by Aer Rianta or a company for the purposes of negotiations which are concerned with the remuneration or conditions of employment, or the working conditions of employees;

“relevant appointed day” means Dublin, Cork or Shannon appointed day or any or all of those days, as the case may be;

“restructuring” means the doing of all things as are necessary for the purposes of giving effect to this Part, and, in particular to sections 7 and 8, in providing for full legal autonomy and independence of each of Dublin Airport Authority, Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority;

“Shannon Airport” means the State airport known as Shannon Airport;

“Shannon Airport Authority” means Shannon Airport Authority, public limited company;

“Shannon appointed day” means the day appointed under section 5 to be the appointed day in respect of Shannon Airport Authority;

“State airport” means an airport in the State, managed and controlled by Aer Rianta or from the relevant appointed day a company;

“subsidiary” other than in section 13 , has the same meaning as in section 155 of the Companies Act 1963 ;

“worker director” means a director appointed under this Act in accordance with the Act of 1977.

5. —(1) Subject to this section, the Minister may, after the Dublin appointed day, for the purposes of this Part, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order or orders appoint a day to be the appointed day in respect of each of the following:

(a) Cork Airport Authority (“Cork appointed day”); and

(b) Shannon Airport Authority (“Shannon appointed day”).

(2) The Cork and Shannon appointed days shall not be earlier than 30 April 2005.

(3) Before the making of an order under subsection (1), the Minister and the Minister for Finance shall be satisfied as to the state of operational and financial readiness, including business planning, of Dublin, Shannon and Cork airports.

(4) The Dublin appointed day is the day appointed by order under section 9 (6).

6. —(1) Aer Rianta, cuideachta phoiblí theoranta, shall on the Dublin appointed day be re-named as, in the English language, Dublin Airport Authority, public limited company, or in the Irish language, Údarás Aerfort Bhaile Átha Cliath, cuideachta phoiblí theoranta. The company shall amend its memorandum and articles of association to reflect this change of name.

(2) The Minister shall, after consultation with the Minister for Finance at any time after the passing of this Act, but—

(a) before the Cork appointed day, cause a public company limited by shares with effect from such appointed day to have vested in it, manage, operate and develop Cork Airport, and

(b) before the Shannon appointed day, cause a public company limited by shares with effect from such appointed day to have vested in it, manage, operate and develop Shannon Airport,

to be formed and registered under the Companies Acts and to conform to the conditions laid down in this Act.

(3) The name of the company to have vested in it, manage, operate and develop—

(a) Cork Airport, on the Cork appointed day, shall be in the English language, Cork Airport Authority, public limited company, or in the Irish language Údarás Aerfort Chorcaí, cuideachta phoiblí theoranta, and

(b) Shannon Airport, on the Shannon appointed day, shall be in the English language, Shannon Airport Authority, public limited company, or in the Irish language Údarás Aerfort na Sionna, cuideachta phoiblí theoranta.

(4) The Act of 1998 is amended as set out in the Schedule with effect from the Dublin appointed day.

(5) A reference in any other enactment or instrument made under the enactment to Aer Rianta, is to be read—

(a) on the Dublin appointed day, as a reference to Dublin Airport Authority, and

(b) on the Cork and Shannon appointed days, as including a reference to Cork Airport Authority or Shannon Airport Authority, as the case may be.

7. —(1) Subject to Part IV of the Companies (Amendment) Act 1983 , the transfer of assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and other things necessary to give effect to the restructuring shall as soon as possible, with effect from the Cork or Shannon appointed day, as the case may be, be effected by Dublin Airport Authority and (where relevant) any of its subsidiaries or by the Minister under subsection (2), or by a combination of both.

(2) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order or orders, provide for the doing of all such matters as he or she believes necessary to give effect to the restructuring.

(3) An order under subsection (2) may contain such provisions as the Minister considers necessary, including provisions dealing with assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and other things and provisions specifying the manner, the order in which and the effect of any transfer or transaction relating to such assets, liabilities, contracts, rights, obligations and other things.

(4) Dublin Airport Authority or any of its subsidiaries may, with the consent of the Minister, or shall at his or her direction enter into such arrangements with Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority (including the terms and conditions upon which such arrangements may be entered into) for the purposes of effecting the restructuring and enabling Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority to discharge their functions under this Act.

(5) The Minister may also give a direction prohibiting Aer Rianta or any of the companies from dealing with specified assets in a manner contrary to the direction.

(6) In addition to section 38 of the Act of 1998, the Minister may give a direction to Aer Rianta or a company in relation to any matter relating to or in anticipation of the restructuring.

(7) Aer Rianta and each company shall provide to the Minister all such information and other assistance as the Minister may require for the purpose of or in connection with the restructuring.

(8) Costs arising from the restructuring may be paid by the Minister, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Finance.

(9) Section 12 of the Act of 1998 does not apply to the transfer of any asset under this section.

(10) For the purposes of the restructuring a company or any of its subsidiaries may issue any class of shares in the share capital of the company or any of its subsidiaries (as the case may be) to any other company or subsidiary of that company with the consent of the Minister for Finance given after consultation with the Minister.

(11) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, by order confer on Aer Rianta, such additional functions connected with the restructuring as he or she thinks fit (including those required under section 9 (6)) subject to such conditions (if any) as may be specified in the order. An order under this subsection may contain such incidental or supplementary provisions as may, in the opinion of the Minister, be necessary to give full effect to the order.

(12) In this section “assets” includes any property (real or personal) land, subsidiaries and any direct or indirect shareholdings of Aer Rianta, or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be, or any of its subsidiaries.

8. —(1) Dublin Airport Authority shall—

(a) pending the Cork appointed day, enter into such arrangements with Cork Airport Authority for the performance on its behalf of functions of Dublin Airport Authority in relation to Cork Airport as may be agreed between those parties, and

(b) pending the Shannon appointed day, enter into such arrangements with Shannon Airport Authority for the performance on its behalf of functions of Dublin Airport Authority in relation to Shannon Airport as may be agreed between those parties.

(2) An arrangement entered into under subsection (1), for so long as it remains in force, operates to confer on Shannon Airport Authority, in relation to Shannon Airport, and Cork Airport Authority, in relation to Cork Airport, the functions of Dublin Airport Authority specified in the arrangement, subject to any terms and conditions specified in that arrangement.

(3) A function conferred by Dublin Airport Authority by an arrangement under subsection (1) on Shannon Airport Authority or Cork Airport Authority may be performed by Shannon Airport Authority or Cork Airport Authority, as the case may be, in its own name to the extent permitted by the arrangement.

(4) The terms and conditions specified in any arrangement under subsection (1) agreed between Dublin Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority or Cork Airport Authority may make provision for the payment of a fee by Dublin Airport Authority to—

(a) Shannon Airport Authority, in consideration of services provided by Shannon Airport Authority, and

(b) Cork Airport Authority in consideration of services provided by Cork Airport Authority,

under such arrangement.

(5) Dublin Airport Authority shall, from the Dublin appointed day, have vested in it, manage, operate and develop—

(a) Dublin Airport, and

(b) subject to arrangements under subsection (1)—

(i) until the Cork appointed day, Cork Airport, and

(ii) until the Shannon appointed day, Shannon Airport.

(6) Cork Airport Authority shall, from the Cork appointed day, have vested in it, manage, operate and develop Cork Airport.

(7) Shannon Airport Authority shall, from the Shannon appointed day, have vested in it, manage, operate and develop Shannon Airport.

(8) There shall be prepared and submitted to the Minister and the Minister for Finance, for their approval a comprehensive business plan—

(a) before the Cork appointed day, by Cork Airport Authority, for the management, operation and development of Cork Airport from the Cork appointed day, and

(b) before the Shannon appointed day, by Shannon Airport Authority, for the management, operation and development of Shannon Airport from the Shannon appointed day.

(9) Dublin Airport Authority, in connection with the preparation and submission of the business plans for Cork Airport and Shannon Airport under subsection (8), shall, from such date as decided by the Minister, prepare and submit to the Minister and the Minister for Finance for their approval a comprehensive business plan for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport.

(10) Each company shall manage, operate and develop any other airport that may be established or owned by it under subsection (13).

(11) A company shall manage, operate and develop any other airport that may become or remain vested in it under section 7 and (where relevant) under any arrangement in place under subsection (1).

(12) Each company shall ensure the provision of such services and facilities as are, in the opinion of that company, necessary for the operation, maintenance and development of its airports, including roads, bridges, tunnels, approaches, water supply works and water mains, gasworks and gas pipelines, sewers and sewage disposal works, electric lines, telecommunications facilities, lights and signs, apparatus, equipment, buildings and accommodation of whatever kind.

(13) Each company may, with the consent of the Minister given after consultation with the Minister for Finance and subject to such conditions as the Minister may determine, establish a new airport (whether within or outside the State) or become the owner in whole or in part or manager or operator of an existing airport. This subsection does not apply to an arrangement under this section.

(14) Where the Irish Aviation Authority ceases to provide terminal services at a State airport the company to which that airport belongs or which has responsibility for such airport shall, with the consent of that Authority, ensure the provision of those services at the airport.

(15) The Irish Aviation Authority shall not unreasonably withhold its consent under subsection (14).

(16) Section 16 of the Act of 1998 is repealed on the Dublin appointed day.

(17) Unless otherwise paid by the Minister under section 7 (8), the costs incurred in the establishment and running of each of Cork and Shannon Airport Authorities prior to their respective appointed days in connection with the restructuring shall to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Minister for Transport, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, be paid by Aer Rianta or the Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be.

(18) Any function of Dublin Airport Authority which is necessary for the discharge of functions by Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority under an arrangement entered into under subsection (1) shall, to the extent necessary for the performance of such arrangement, also be regarded as a function of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority.

9. —(1) The memorandum and articles of association of a company shall, from its appointed day, be in such form consistent with this Act and the Act of 1998 (as amended by the Schedule) as may be approved of by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(2) The articles of association of each company shall, from its appointed day, be consistent with section 22(3) (as amended by paragraph 9 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998.

(3) The principal objects of each company shall, from its appointed day, be those set out in section 23 of the Act of 1998.

(4) (a) It shall be the general duty of each company from its appointed day—

(i) to conduct its affairs so as to ensure that the revenues of the company are not less than sufficient taking one year with another to—

(I) meet all charges which are properly chargeable to its revenue account,

(II) generate a reasonable proportion of the capital it requires, and

(III) remunerate its capital and pay interest on and repay its borrowings,

(ii) to take such steps either alone or in conjunction with other persons as are necessary for the efficient operation, safety, management and development of its airports,

(iii) to conduct its business at all times in a cost-effective manner, and

(iv) to regulate operations within its airports.

(b) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as imposing on a company, either directly or indirectly, any form of duty or liability enforceable by proceedings before any court to which it would not otherwise be subject.

(c) In carrying out its functions, a company shall have regard to—

(i) the development of air transport,

(ii) any policy, financial or other guidelines given by the Minister to a company, in relation to the functions conferred on a company, and

(iii) the safety standards in relation to the operation of aircraft and air navigation applied and enforced by the Irish Aviation Authority.

(5) Notwithstanding the Act of 1998, the memorandum and articles of association of Aer Rianta may be amended in such manner as may for the purpose of the restructuring be determined by the Minister with the consent of the Minister for Finance.

(6) The principal objects of Aer Rianta shall, with effect from such day as the Minister shall by order appoint, in addition to those set out in section 23 of the Act of 1998, include an additional object to do all things as are necessary to give effect to the restructuring and its memorandum of association shall be amended accordingly. The day so appointed is the Dublin appointed day.

(7) In the formation of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority the Minister shall, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, draw up memoranda and articles of association for them and their principal objects shall be stated in their memoranda of association and each authority shall have all such functions as are necessary to give effect to such objects.

(8) In the formation of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority, the Minister shall, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, appoint such persons as directors to the boards of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority in accordance with the articles of association of the relevant company and section 22 (as amended by paragraph 9 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 applies to such appointments.

(9) The Minister may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance and following consultation with such trade union representatives as he or she believes appropriate, appoint on a temporary basis persons as worker directors to the boards of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority until the Minister is in a position to appoint persons as directors under the Act of 1977.

(10) Prior to their respective appointed days a chairperson shall be appointed to each of the boards of Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority by the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Finance, and section 27 (as amended by paragraph 12 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 applies to such appointments.

(11) Prior to their respective appointed days, a Chief Executive may be appointed to Cork Airport Authority and to Shannon Airport Authority by such directors appointed under subsection (8) and (9) (if any) and section 29 (inserted by paragraph 14 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 applies to such appointments.

10. —(1) The authorised share capital of Cork Airport Authority and of Shannon Airport Authority shall be such amount as may be determined from time to time by the Minister for Finance, after consultation with the Minister, divided into shares of €1 each.

(2) Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority may, with the consent of the Minister for Finance given after consultation with the Minister, each divide the shares into different classes and attach to those classes any rights, privileges or conditions.

(3) Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority shall each issue 38,100 shares to the Minister for Finance and may, from time to time, thereafter issue to the Minister for Finance such number of shares as may be agreed upon by the Minister and the Minister for Finance.

(4) Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority shall each issue one share to each of the subscribers to the memorandum of association of such companies who shall hold such shares in trust for and shall act in relation to such shares as may be directed by the Minister for Finance.

(5) Notwithstanding section 6 (4), sections 9, 10 and 11 (as amended by the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 apply to Cork Airport Authority and Shannon Airport Authority.

11. —(1) Unless otherwise specified by the Minister, a claim in respect of any loss or injury alleged to have been suffered by any person arising out of the performance before the relevant appointed day of the functions assigned to a company by or under this Act shall after that day, lie against that company and not against Aer Rianta, or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be.

(2) Unless otherwise specified by the Minister, any legal proceedings pending immediately before the relevant appointed day to which Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be, is a party, that relate to a function of a company, shall be continued, with the substitution in the proceedings of the company, in so far as they so relate, for any such party.

(3) Where, before the relevant appointed day, agreement has been reached between the parties concerned in settlement of a claim to which subsection (1) relates the terms of which have not been implemented, or judgment has been given in favour of a person but has not been enforced, the terms of the agreement or judgment, as the case may be, shall, in so far as it is enforceable against Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be, be enforceable against the company concerned and not against Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be.

(4) Any claim made or to be made by Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be, in respect of any loss or injury arising from the act or default of any person before the relevant appointed day shall, where the claim relates to functions assigned to a company by or under this Act, be regarded as made by or to be made by the company concerned and may be pursued and sued for by the company as if the loss or injury had been suffered by that company.

12. —(1) Each company shall appoint such members of staff, as the company thinks fit.

(2) A member of staff of a company shall hold his or her office or employment on such terms and conditions as the company determines.

(3) There shall be paid by a company to its members of staff such remuneration and allowances for expenses as the company thinks fit, subject to, in the case of its Chief Executive, section 29 of the Act of 1998.

(4) Every person who is a member of the staff of Dublin Airport Authority working wholly or mainly in connection with—

(a) Cork Airport immediately before the Cork appointed day shall, on that day, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of Cork Airport Authority, and

(b) Shannon Airport immediately before the Shannon appointed day shall, on that day, be transferred to and become a member of the staff of Shannon Airport Authority.

(5) Every person who is a member of the staff of Dublin Airport Authority who is not working wholly or mainly in connection with—

(a) Dublin Airport,

(b) immediately before the Cork appointed day, Cork Airport, or

(c) immediately before the Shannon appointed day, Shannon Airport,

but whose work involves shared services in two or more of those airports shall remain or be transferred to and become a member of the staff of the company which continues to provide the shared services or which is designated by the Minister to provide such services.

(6) Where any dispute arises in relation to whether a person or group of persons is working wholly or mainly in connection with Cork Airport or Shannon Airport or where it cannot be determined whether a person or group of persons work wholly or mainly in connection with one or other of the State airports or in shared services, Dublin Airport Authority shall, following consultation with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, determine which company shall employ the person or group of persons concerned. The Minister may give directions as to the criteria to be applied in resolving the dispute.

(7) In relation to persons transferred to Cork Airport Authority or Shannon Airport Authority under subsection (4), (5) or (6), previous service with Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be, shall be reckonable for the purposes of, but subject to any exceptions or exclusions in—

(a) the Redundancy Payments Acts 1967 to 2003,

(b) the Protection of Employees (Part-Time Work) Act 2001 ,

(c) the Protection of Employees (Fixed-Term Work) Act 2003 ,

(d) the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997 ,

(e) the Minimum Notice and Terms of Employment Acts 1973 to 2001,

(f) the Unfair Dismissals Acts 1977 to 2001,

(g) the Parental Leave Act 1998 ,

(h) the Carer's Leave Act 2001 , and

(i) the Act of 1977.

(8) Any superannuation benefits awarded to or in respect of a person to whom subsection (4), (5) or (6) applies and the terms and conditions relating to those benefits shall not be less favourable than the entitlement existing immediately before the relevant appointed day.

(9) Save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, a person transferred to a company in accordance with subsection (4), (5) or (6), shall not, while in the service of the company, be brought to less beneficial conditions of service or of remuneration than the conditions of service or of remuneration to which he or she was subject immediately before the relevant appointed day.

(10) Until such time as the scales of pay and conditions of service of persons transferred to a company in accordance with subsection (4), (5) or (6), are varied by the company, following consultation with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, the scales of pay to which those persons were entitled and the conditions of service, restrictions, requirements and obligations to which they were subject immediately before their transfer shall continue to apply to them and may be applied or imposed by the company while they are in its service. As provided in subsection (9), no such variation shall operate to worsen the scales of pay and conditions of service applicable to such persons immediately before the relevant appointed day, save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned.

(11) Without prejudice to subsections (9) and (10), the form of any new collective agreements and the bargaining structures through which they are arrived at and developed, following the Cork appointed day and the Shannon appointed day, shall be the subject of discussions with the recognised trade union or staff association concerned for the period of not more than 6 months from the passing of this Act.

(12) Save in accordance with a collective agreement negotiated with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned, a person who was a member of the staff of Aer Rianta immediately before the Dublin appointed day, and continues as a member of the staff of Dublin Airport Authority after the Dublin appointed day, shall not, while in the service of Dublin Airport Authority, be brought to less beneficial conditions of service or of remuneration than the conditions of service or of remuneration to which he or she was subject immediately before the Dublin appointed day. In the case of the person carrying out the duties of the Chief Executive of Aer Rianta the terms and conditions of service and of remuneration of the Chief Executive must be determined in accordance with section 29(4) of the Act of 1998.

(13) In this section “superannuation benefits” means pensions, gratuities and other allowances payable on resignation, retirement or death.

13. —(1) The chairperson and directors of Aer Rianta shall cease to hold office on the Dublin appointed day when the chairperson and directors of Dublin Airport Authority appointed by the Minister under subsection (4) take office.

(2) Dublin Airport Authority shall, as soon as may be after the Dublin appointed day, appoint under section 28 (as amended by paragraph 13 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 new chairpersons and directors to the boards of its subsidiaries. The chairperson and directors of the boards of those subsidiaries holding office, immediately before a new appointment under this subsection, shall cease to hold office from the relevant date that the appointments on the boards are taken up under this subsection.

(3) The directors of Aer Rianta ceasing to hold office in accordance with subsection (1) are deemed to create casual vacancies for the purposes of section 22 of the Act of 1977.

(4) The Minister may, at any time after the passing of this Act, appoint such persons as he or she thinks appropriate to take office as directors (including the chairperson) of the board of Dublin Airport Authority with effect from the Dublin appointed day in accordance with section 22(3) (as amended by paragraph 9 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998. The Minister may make the appointments at the same or at different times.

(5) In appointing any worker directors to fill a casual vacancy which will be created by virtue of subsection (1), the Minister shall have regard to the poll at the last election of Aer Rianta held in accordance with section 9 of the Act of 1977 and consult with any recognised trade union or staff association concerned before appointing worker directors to the board of Dublin Airport Authority.

(6) A worker director appointed by the Minister, under this section, to fill a casual vacancy shall, unless he or she sooner dies, resigns or becomes disqualified, hold office until the next election.

(7) Notwithstanding that 1 May 1989 was appointed by the Order of 1989 to be the appointed day for the purposes of section 6 of the Act of 1977 in relation to Aer Rianta, the Minister may by order appoint, in lieu of that day, another day to be the appointed day for the purposes of section 6 of the Act of 1977. The Order of 1989 is revoked on the commencement of an order under this subsection.

(8) Following selection for appointment at an open public competition held by or on behalf of Dublin Airport Authority, the Chief Executive of Dublin Airport Authority shall be appointed by the directors appointed under subsection (4). Section 29 (as amended by paragraph 14 of the Schedule) of the Act of 1998 applies to such appointment.

(9) In this section —

“Order of 1989” means the Worker Participation (State Enterprises) Acts 1977 and 1988 (Appointed Day) (Aer Rianta) Order 1989 (S.I. No. 96 of 1989);

“subsidiary” means a company all of the issued shares in the share capital of which are held by or on behalf of Aer Rianta or Dublin Airport Authority, as the case may be.

14. —(1) A company may, either by itself or with other persons, with the consent of the Minister and the Minister for Finance, and subject to any conditions of either of those Ministers, promote, take part in the formation of or acquire a shareholding in any company (wherever incorporated) including a subsidiary.

(2) A company may exercise total or partial control of the board of directors, by whatever name called, of a subsidiary of it, that controls and manages the subsidiary.

(3) The memorandum and articles of association of a subsidiary of a company shall be in such form consistent with this Act and the Act of 1998 as may be approved of by the company.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (3) or section 23 of the Act of 1998 (as amended by paragraph 10 of the Schedule) a subsidiary of a company may, for not more than the period of 12 months from it becoming a subsidiary of the company or such further period as the Minister may approve, carry on any activity which would otherwise be inconsistent with those provisions. The subsidiary shall, after that period, divest itself of and cease such activity.

(5) A subsidiary of a company shall make such reports to the company as it may require.

(6) A subsidiary of a company may enter into joint ventures with other persons.

15. —(1) A company may make bye-laws in relation to a State airport it manages or controls.

(2) The Minister may make bye-laws in relation to an airport which is not a State airport.

(3) Bye-laws under this section may be made for any one or more of the following purposes in relation to an airport, that is to say—

(a) the admission and exclusion from the airport of persons or vehicles,

(b) the formation of queues of persons and vehicles within, or seeking admission to, the airport,

(c) the prohibition of trespassing on the airport by persons or animals,

(d) the securing of the safety of the airport and of aircraft and persons using it against damage and, in particular, damage by fire,

(e) the restriction and control of any activity or the provision of services in the airport,

(f) matters relating to airside operations (including procedures relating to the fuelling of aircraft, the handling of baggage and the servicing of and access to aircraft and related matters),

(g) the preservation of order and good conduct in the airport,

(h) the prevention of nuisances in the airport,

(i) the safe custody and re-delivery or disposal of any property found in the airport or in any aircraft or vehicle therein, the fixing of the charges to be made in respect of such safe custody or re-delivery, and the application, if any such property is disposed of by being sold, of the moneys arising from the sale,

(j) generally for the proper management, operation, supervision, safety and security of the airport,

(k) the definition of the duties of persons in command of any aircraft for the time being on the ground in an airport,

(l) the specification of the routes to be followed by aircraft and other vehicles,

(m) the prohibition or restriction and control of the use of specified roads by persons or vehicles generally or during particular hours or at particular times or in particular circumstances,

(n) the prohibition of the driving of vehicles on a specified road otherwise than in a specified direction,

(o) the making of provision for the fixing of an immobilisation device to any vehicle which has been unlawfully parked in any place in the airport,

(p) the regulation of small public service vehicles (within the meaning of section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1961 ) in the airport,

(q) the regulation of traffic generally including speed of traffic,

(r) fixing the places (in this section referred to as parking places) in which vehicles, whether unattended or not, may remain stationary either indefinitely or for any period not exceeding a specified period,

(s) appointing the conditions to be observed in regard to vehicles remaining stationary in parking places,

(t) fixing the period during which, the purposes for which and the conditions under which vehicles may remain stationary in places, other than parking places,

(u) prohibiting keeping or leaving any vehicles stationary in any place (including parking places) for a period exceeding the period authorised in that behalf by the bye-laws or for a purpose other than a purpose so authorised in that behalf or otherwise than for a purpose (if any) or in accordance with the conditions (if any) prescribed in that behalf by the bye-laws,

(v) prohibiting the driving of vehicles within the airport at a speed exceeding a specified speed.

(4) In making any bye-laws under this section, in relation to a State airport, the company concerned, or in relation to an airport which is not a State airport, the Minister, may—

(a) define, in such manner as he, she or it thinks proper, what shall constitute, for the purposes of any provision of the bye-laws, a class of persons or vehicles,

(b) make different provisions in relation to different airports and different parts of the airport,

(c) make different provisions in relation to different classes of persons to whom the bye-laws apply,

(d) make different provisions in relation to different classes of vehicles to which the bye-laws apply,

(e) exempt from the operation of the bye-laws any particular class of persons or vehicles.

(5) Whenever a company or the Minister proposes to make bye-laws under this section, the following provisions have effect—

(a) the company or the Minister, as the case may be, shall publish notice of the proposal at least once in at least 2 daily newspapers published in and circulating in the State or the area where the airport is situated,

(b) the notice shall include—

(i) a statement of the purposes for which the bye-laws are to be made,

(ii) an intimation that a copy of draft bye-laws is open for public inspection at the address stated in the notice, and

(iii) an intimation that any person may submit to the company or the Minister, as the case may be, objections to the draft bye-laws at any time during the period of 30 days commencing on the date of the first publication of the notice,

(c) the company or the Minister, as the case may be, shall, during that period of 30 days, keep a copy of the draft bye-laws open for public inspection during ordinary office hours at the address stated in the notice,

(d) any person who objects to the draft bye-laws may submit his or her objection to the company or the Minister, as the case may be, in writing at any time during that period of 30 days and the company or the Minister, as the case may be, shall consider the objections, and

(e) on the completion of that period of 30 days, the company or the Minister, as the case may be, shall as he, she or it thinks proper refrain from making the bye-laws or make the bye-laws either without modification or with such modifications to the bye-laws as he, she or it thinks proper.

(6) A company shall on, or as soon as may be after, the first publication of a notice under subsection (5), send a copy of the notice together with a copy of the draft bye-laws to the Minister. The company shall, before making the bye-laws, have regard to any observations made by the Minister on the draft bye-laws, made within the period of 30 days from the date of first publication of the notice.

(7) A company may, where it proposes to make bye-laws which it considers for reasons of urgency should be in operation immediately or are of a minor or technical nature, with the consent of the Minister, dispense with the requirements of subsections (5) and (6) in relation to the making of the bye-laws.

(8) The Minister may, where he or she proposes to make bye-laws which he or she considers for reasons of urgency should be in operation immediately or are of a minor or technical nature, dispense with the requirements of subsection (5) in relation to the making of the bye-laws.

(9) A person who contravenes a provision of a bye-law made under this section which is stated in the bye-laws or under subsection (15) to be a penal provision is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding €3,000.

(10) The company or the Minister, as the case may be, shall consult the Irish Aviation Authority before making bye-laws which in whole or in part relate to, a purpose referred to in subsection (3)(k), or the safety of aircraft.

(11) Bye-laws made under this section shall be displayed at the airport, in respect of which the bye-laws are made, in such manner as the company which made them (or, where the bye-laws are made by the Minister, the Minister) considers best adapted for giving information to the public.

(12) A company in the case of bye-laws made by it and the Minister in the case of bye-laws made by him or her shall give a copy of the bye-laws to any person applying for them on payment of such reasonable sum, if any, being a sum (not exceeding the reasonable cost of making the copy) as fixed by the company or the Minister, as the case may be.

(13) A document which purports to be a copy of bye-laws made under this section, and which has endorsed on it a certificate purporting to be signed by an officer of the company which made the bye-laws (or where the bye-laws are made by the Minister, an officer of the Minister authorised in that behalf) stating that the document is a true copy of the bye-laws and that the bye-laws were in force on a specified day, shall, without proof of the signature of such officer or that he or she was in fact such officer, be evidence, until the contrary is shown, in every court and in all legal proceedings, of the bye-laws and of the fact that they were in force on that date.

(14) Section 42 of the Act of 1998 is repealed.

(15) Bye-laws made under the Act of 1998 which are in force immediately before the passing of this Act continue as if made under this section. Those bye-laws are penal provisions for the purposes of subsection (9).

(16) In this section “company” means—

(a) Aer Rianta, before the Dublin appointed day, in relation to all State airports,

(b) Dublin Airport Authority, from the Dublin appointed day, in relation to Dublin Airport,

(c) Dublin Airport Authority, after the Dublin appointed day but before the Cork appointed day, and Cork Airport Authority, from the Cork appointed day, in relation to Cork Airport, and

(d) Dublin Airport Authority, after the Dublin appointed day but before the Shannon appointed day, and Shannon Airport Authority, from the Shannon appointed day, in relation to Shannon Airport.

16. —(1) The Minister, in relation to an airport, either at his or her own initiative or at the request of the airport authority owning or managing the airport, may make regulations—

(a) to secure the safety of aircraft, vehicles and persons using the airport,

(b) to prevent danger to the public arising from the use or operation of an airport,

(c) in relation to the safety and security of an airport and aircraft, vehicles and persons using the airport, or

(d) regarding the duties of persons in command of an aircraft which is for the time being on the ground at the airport.

(2) The Minister shall consult with the Irish Aviation Authority before making regulations which in whole or in part relate to subsection (1)(d) or the safety of aircraft.

(3) A person who contravenes a regulation under this section is guilty of an offence and is liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding €250,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both.

17. —(1) Every order made under this Part shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

(2) Section 3(1) of the Act of 1998 does not apply to an order under this Part.

(3) Where it is proposed to make an order under section 5 (1) or to amend or revoke an order under section 9 (6), a draft of the order shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and the order shall not be made unless a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each such House.

18. —(1) Where the Minister gives a direction under this Part or the Act of 1998, the direction shall be in writing and be addressed to the person or undertaking concerned and as soon as practicable, be sent or given in any of the following ways:

(a) by delivering it to the person or undertaking;

(b) by leaving it at the address at which the person or undertaking carries on business;

(c) by sending it by pre-paid registered post to the address at which the person or undertaking carries on business;

(d) if an address for the service of directions or notifications has been furnished by the person or undertaking to the Minister, by leaving it at, or sending it by pre-paid registered post to, that address, or

(e) in any case where the Minister considers that the immediate giving of the direction is required, by sending it, by means of a facsimile machine or by electronic mail, to a device or facility for the reception of facsimiles or electronic mail located at the address at which the person or undertaking ordinarily carries on business or, if an address for the service of notices has been furnished by the person or undertaking, that address, provided that the sender's transmission of the total number of pages of the direction or notification, as the case may be, or the sender's facility for the reception of electronic mail generates a message confirming receipt of the electronic mail.

(2) A person to whom the Minister issues or gives a direction under this Part or the Act of 1998 shall comply with the direction.

(3) In this section “undertaking” means Aer Rianta, Dublin Airport Authority, Cork Airport Authority or Shannon Airport Authority, or any of their subsidiaries as the case may be.

19. —(1) A person appointed by Aer Rianta under section 48(1) of the Act of 1998 as an authorised officer or under section 51 of the Act of 1998 as an authorised person who holds office as such officer or person immediately before the relevant appointed day continues, subject to section 12 , as an authorised officer or person, as the case may be, for the relevant State airport where on that day he or she carries out his or her duties as an authorised officer or person, as the case may be.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt, section 1(3) of the Act of 1998 does not apply to this Part.