Cathal Crowe (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister and his officials. I do not have speaking time in the Dáil, so I take this opportunity put on record my deepest sympathies to our colleague Deputy Richard Bruton and all of the Bruton family on the passing of iar-Thaoiseach, John Bruton.

The Minister's presence and contributions are always valued by this committee. My first question is about the Dublin Airport expansion. Mr. Kenny Jacobs of the Dublin Airport Authority was before this committee not too long ago. He presented the expansion plans. He spoke about the cap. The cap is unworkable, whether we like it or not, and something has to change. However, I will outline my concerns in detail. The Dublin Airport Authority is trying to outpace the review of the national aviation policy, which is to happen this year. That looks at the all-Ireland approach to aviation. The Dublin Airport Authority submitted an application early this year that will go through and conclude its planning process possibly by Easter, yet the national aviation policy review will not happen until the back end of the year. I feel it has outpaced the Government on this. What it proposes certainly deals with problem relating to the cap, but it is seeking to expand to such an extent that this would be to the detriment of other airports. Dublin holds a dominant position. While nobody imagines that being flipped - it is unrealistic - the expansion being talked about will only further strengthen this dominance. I would like the Minister's thoughts as to whether Dublin Airport Authority has outpaced Government in terms of the national aviation policy review.