Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask about the capacity issue. I do not see the logic of this. The airport is a major piece of infrastructure and is of huge importance to the economy, not just of Dublin but the Irish economy in general. To have this situation where we have a cap on capacity does not make sense, in my view. Mr. Jacobs' presentation states that the cap on capacity means that the DAA has to discontinue transit flights from the end of October and limit the pricing incentives for growth, which obviously impacts and discourages the airlines from increasing their growth and development, and there is a proposed suspension of slot applications for ad hocpassenger movements from early December. There is also the impact on business jets and on sports and special event charters. Perhaps Mr. Jacobs will elaborate on some of those, particularly in regard to sports and special events charters, which are a huge source of funds coming into the country. What kinds of limitations will be placed on them?

With regard to the 32 million figure, obviously, it is a condition of the planning authority, and the DAA is going back in next month to increase that by 8 million to 40 million. Did the DAA select the 40 million on the basis that it is the ultimate capacity of the two existing terminals, terminal 1 and terminal 2, combined? If it is a combination of both, can Mr. Jacobs break down the capacity in terminal 2 now and the additional capacity that there will be in terminal 1? I recall well when terminal 2 was built and we had a huge outcry saying it was going to be a white elephant and that it would never be productive.