Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

The Minister of State said the level of staff resources is being reviewed to manage the situation effectively. He said that an additional 60 screeners are in training, 20 of whom will come on stream later this week; a further 20 will have completed their training within the following two weeks and the remainder will have completed their training in four weeks time. The availability of additional screeners will apparently allow greater operational flexibility in rostering for and dealing with peak passenger periods.

The Dublin Airport Authority states that it cannot guarantee additional security channels in the existing terminal. Several Senators from the Government side asked this evening why the airline desks do not open up earlier and let people through. What would happen if that were done? The terminal would be blockaded with passengers. We cannot have that. There is no question that additional screening facilities are needed. If 60 new screeners are to be provided, they are going to be working on top of each other at the screening points. Additional screening channels are needed immediately, and I cannot understand why the Minister of State did not say that in his speech. There is obviously a great need for additional space and for a new terminal. I am disappointed the Minister was not more focused this evening and did not tell us he will provide this as a matter of urgency. He just said the same thing this evening that he said six months ago, namely that a decision will be made in due course.

The Minister of State should contact the Taoiseach as a matter of urgency and ask him to act for once and for all on the issue. The needs are pressing. If it continues as it has done for the past few years, the situation will be a disaster for the country from the points of view of both tourism and business.

Amendment put.