James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My final question is in regard to connectivity. We are seeing huge growth in the eastern economies of the world. It was very noticeable from the levels of traffic at Dublin Airport prior to the arrival of the pandemic that it is a seriously strong base for transatlantic travel but there was an absence of eastern connections, with the exception of the Middle East and the carriers operating to that region. What is Mr. Geoghegan's plan to strengthen that connectivity?

I have the foresight here to try to predict the future, but it is quite evident that at some stage over the next three or four years traffic numbers will yet again exceed 30 million per annum. Dublin Airport was reaching a point where potentially a new terminal would be needed. Are there plans in place for, perhaps, a midfield terminal? What are the strategic growth plans in terms of developing capacity? Prior to Covid, Dublin Airport numbers were reaching a level such that it was at capacity. It is quite plausible that it will be back at that point within three or four years. What are the plans in that regard and in regard to boosting the connections with China, Japan, South Korea and many of the eastern economies that are growing at such a fast pace? It is important that we would bolster those connections in the interests of the State and the Irish economy. I would welcome Mr. Geoghegan's insight on those two issues.