Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

Section 8(13) provides that an airport authority can, with the approval of the Minister and after consulting the Minister for Finance, establish a new airport, become part owner of an airport and manage or operate an existing airport. Under subsection (10), an airport authority is given the power to manage, operate and develop any other airport established or owned by it under subsection (13). These provisions mirror provisions in subsection 16(i) and (iii) of the 1998 Act. We are seeking to carry through the provisions in the 1998 Act to permit the same statutory permission to the authorities to become involved in this area, with ministerial agreement. This will give some flexibility to the authorities. Originally it was probably aimed more at the international market than the national market. As it is worded in the 1998 Act and now, it can apply to both the international and national market.

The Government has been considering the issue of a second terminal at Dublin Airport. It will conclude its deliberations on the matter in the coming weeks. Extra capacity is needed at the airport and I hope to be able to say more about it in the not too distant future.