The Mid-West Regional Authority yesterday came out against any move to establish a completely independent management structure at Shannon Airport or to privatise the airport.
Instead the authority opted to recommend to Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, that Shannon be retained under Aer Rianta ownership but with a regional management board.
The move by the regional authority already has the backing of the Shannon Airport Western Alliance and Clare County Council. The authority believes that in relation to any move to make Shannon completely independent, "too many questions need to be answered".
Though it is the favoured option of Shannon Development, the authority said with a completely independent Shannon, "the timing is not right and the aviation industry remains uncertain".
Authority director Mr Thomas Kirby said that the ability of Shannon to survive on its own is not clear.
Mr Kirby also said there is a change needed in the management structure at Shannon and that Shannon Airport should be allowed more independence and autonomy.
The authority agreed that any new regional board should have political representation, while it should also comprise of commercial and aviation experts.
