Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

The Commissioner for Aviation Regulation, Cathal Guiomard, stated that airport charges are likely to rise by 22% between 2010 and 2014 to pay for T2. Does the Minister expect that this will happen and will these increases be similar to those that occurred recently in respect of long-stay charges? When T2 is operational, will there be any excess capacity? Has the Department considered what will be the ultimate size of the development? The authorities at Heathrow have stated that its passenger numbers will increase to 100 million from 67 million. The numbers travelling through Dublin Airport are rapidly heading towards 30 million. Has any long-term thinking been done in respect of this matter?

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