Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

One thing that is missing from the debate on the different amendments and noise levels in Dublin is the fact that Dublin is under pressure. We see it in the fiasco with the national children's hospital, but we also see it at the airport where the volume of traffic is growing, which is good. Nobody disputes this, but there is a bridge that cannot be crossed. I know that the Minister is aware of plans and that the Department had been asked for a letter of support.

If one looks at other airports in different parts of the world, some of them might be 30 to 60 miles away from a city. I am aware that a proposal was put to the Minister regarding the midlands, and the Minister has said that he will make an application to Europe. I have in mind Knock airport and TEN-T. The Minister said he will apply in the next couple of months but it is nearly three years since the programme for Government stated that the Government would make an application to Europe in the first three months. I am not saying this is due to the Minister, but there is no willingness in the Department. It is the metro or something else rather than putting in the application.

As others have mentioned, areas of this country will be seriously affected by Brexit. Airports are strategically important, but we are putting more noise and problems in one area. The Government has plans to supposedly reduce carbon and get more people onto trains. There are railway lines in the midlands and in this new great world the Minister talks about they will be electrified, probably at a cost of €3 billion. A connection could be made to that. Many of us go to other parts of the world where airlines such as Ryanair fly to airports 30 to 50 miles outside an area and there is a quick system of getting into the area, rather than putting everything in that area and congesting it. The Minister will bring regional development in that way. It is a way forward for other regions as well, such as Cork and Shannon. Knock has been left on its own. It is not seeking a miracle, just a status in respect of applying for TEN-T and airports in peripheral areas. There is no point in somebody driving in a car from Mayo to Dublin if there is an airport nearby. It is putting pressure for more aeroplanes to come into Dublin.

It will be three years in May since the commitment was given that this would be done within three months for that area with regard to TEN-T. Rosslare port and other ports were mentioned as well. This is for the different parts of Ireland, especially with Brexit coming, and to cater for places such as Donegal. We have talked about the port in Killybegs being deepened. The Minister must make sure he gives a chance to different areas. If he keeps trying to put runways and more aeroplanes in one area there will be more problems. There is no doubt about that. People who bought a house that was far enough away from the city at one time are now finding it more difficult to live in that area. Solutions have to be found. Air travel is increasing in this country, which is great. One can see the number of passengers flying into and out of the country. However, if we keep trying to pour the concrete in one spot we will leave out other areas. Many people who travel to other countries have no problem with sitting in a bus or a train that will shuttle them quite quickly to the capital city of that country, if that is where they wish to go, or there might be options to go to other places.

The Department must consider where it is going in all of this if private operators want to get a letter of support. The investment comes where there are institutes of technology and different agencies and colleges. One can ensure that there is regional development and a focus on other areas rather compounding the problems for the people around Dublin.

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