Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

Regarding the third terminal at Dublin Airport, the Government has decided it will commence pre-planning for this more long-term option by preparing the legislative and regulatory framework to facilitate the development. The Government's objective is to underpin the most cost effective, efficient and timely delivery of such a terminal, in line with emerging aviation trends through an open, transparent and competitive process. No decision has been taken on how this will be established until such time as those issues have been addressed.

In the past when I was Minister for Transport, we found ourselves in crisis management situations. Now, as a result of these decisions, we are dealing with expansion plans that will put the aviation sector in a proper framework and enable us to deal with the increased capacity and develop the airport's potential.

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