Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)

The Commissioner for Aviation Regulation has not made a decision in respect of charges post-2010. He has indicated that the T2 project will have some impact but it would not be right for me to second guess him. The commissioner's aim is to ensure that the airport can operate in the most economically efficient manner possible. He also has a role and a remit in the context of protecting consumers. On the one hand, the airlines have stated that the increases he is giving are too high while, on the other, there are those who say the needs of consumers are not being adequately considered. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. One can never win when one is a regulator.

I am informed that the Deputy's figures in respect of capacity — namely, that passenger numbers at the airport are heading towards 30 million — are not incorrect. The airport is being developed in such a way as to allow it to cater for this number of people by 2015 or thereabouts. The total capacity should be approximately 33 million. As we near that, and even with second runways, and so on, it would be necessary to query how much more capacity could be added. The latter will be considered as part of a process that will be entered into at that point. The capacity being provided will be sufficient for the short to medium term and there are those who would say that it will also probably be adequate for the longer term.

The Deputy also referred to excess capacity. It would be reasonable to ask what constitutes excess capacity. If we complete the various envisaged projects and five or ten years' worth of spare capacity is created, we must ask if this is this excess capacity or is it merely planning for the future. The debate and arguments in respect of this matter have been ongoing for some time. I tend to favour the view that infrastructure should be provided, to the greatest extent possible, in anticipation and without wasting taxpayers' money.

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