Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Regardless of whether the Deputy likes it, we live in a democracy and there are processes and people are entitled to object to particular developments. Unfortunately, many people have objected and that is causing us difficulty in terms of the delivery. I congratulate the management and staff of the Dublin Airport Authority because, as the Deputy rightly noted, they are coping with an extraordinary increase in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport. They did so last summer with a substantial increase and, in the public's perception, managed it extremely well, notwithstanding the difficulties.

I have outlined the new facilities being put in place for this year's summer season. The Dublin Airport Authority has done everything humanly possible to meet the demands of all the different customers, received planning permission from the local authority and is tied up with An Bord Pleanála with regard to getting a final decision. I hope we get a decision on terminal two as quickly as possible because that will be delivered by 2009. That, with the developments in place between now and 2009 which have realistic, albeit tight, timeframes, will transform the ability of Dublin Airport to deal with its passengers. We will then have a capacity of well in excess of 30 million passengers at Dublin Airport, where we are currently serving approximately 22 million. In fairness to the authority, the decisions are made, the plans have been drawn up, planning permission has been approved and the matter is with An Bord Pleanála. All the ancillary developments, be it pier D or opening up the new area 14 to cater for 4 million passengers this year, will be in place this year.

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