Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I accept that the DAA is doing its best, in the difficult circumstances in which it finds itself, to maximise the use of what space is available at the airport. I welcome the move to slot co-ordination. However, on its own admission the DAA has accepted that it does not have any room for the expansion of services in Dublin Airport, despite the demand for increased services. The implementation of the open skies agreement is imminent. The potential of that agreement cannot be realised as a result of the lack of capacity at the airport.

The Minister spoke about new facilities being launched at the airport. However, that is reorganised space, not new space. The tent the airport was seeking 18 months ago is still not in place. The terminal has not been begun and planning permission for it has not been secured. There is a long lead-in time for all aviation projects and the tardy decision on this means we are badly handicapped in terms of providing services. The airport does not have sufficient apron, security, immigration or cargo space, not to mention terminals for the passengers. There are insufficient stands. Next year, the situation will be worse.

The Minister said pier D will provide ten extra places. In fact, many of the existing places, and more than the ten extra being provided, will be gone next year if the work on the terminal goes ahead, which we hope it will. The situation next year will be worse than it was last year. Will the Minister explain why the Government failed to make any decisions on aviation until it was too late? Dublin Port is out of capacity and no decision has been made on its future. Dublin Airport is out of capacity and, again, no decisions were made for the future. Will the Minister explain why this was allowed to happen during his term in office? Ireland has been virtually turned into a blockaded island in terms of its competitiveness, its ability to attract new tourists and even its ability to give choice to passengers. We are stuck with two airlines that are hardly competing with each other but no other additional airlines can come into the country. Our trade, competitiveness and passengers are being disadvantaged.

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