Timmy Dooley (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"—welcomes the Government's efforts to ensure the timely provision of additional terminal capacity at Dublin Airport on an efficient, cost-effective basis;

—notes the future arrangements for the provision of such capacity will be designed to ensure that both the location and operation of such terminal capacity are in keeping with the optimum development of an efficient Dublin Airport;

—notes the Government commitment to ensuring the highest standards of aviation security at Irish airports;

—notes that the key issues raised by the EU security inspection at Dublin Airport were addressed with immediate effect; and

—notes that the Minister for Transport and his Department will engage with the airports and airlines with a view to ensuring that all improvements in security arising from the findings of the EU inspection are implemented."

I welcome the efforts of the Government, the Minister and the previous Minister in dealing with the changing nature of the aviation sector. Those of us who understand what is happening within the sector are clearly aware of the dramatic changes which have taken place in the past number of years and the associated pressures. A tremendous amount of work has been done by the current Government in dealing with this changing environment. It requires ongoing effort and the Minister is committed to that. He has taken up his brief in a very efficient manner and is dealing with it in a most expeditious way.

The passage of the State Airports Bill last year was something the Opposition called for over a considerable length of time. The amount of work and consultation which went into that process cannot be undermined. The Opposition seems to think there is a quick-fix solution based on knee-jerk reactions that can be overlaid across the aviation sector in Ireland and that the problem can be solved overnight. I am delighted with the approach the Government is taking. It is consultative, involves all stakeholders and clearly recognises the changing nature of the environment within which it is set. Company law issues were identified in the State Airports Bill as were issues regarding financing, future funding and developments at the airports. These must all be taken into consideration and cannot be whitewashed in a knee-jerk reaction as expected by the Opposition.

This is happening against a backdrop of great change in the sector and in the economy. Senator Paddy Burke likened Dublin Airport to the airport in Lagos. I have not been there, but I was recently in an airport in Ghana which would also be referred to as a Third World airport. Facilities were not great but very few people were passing through the airport because of the state of the economy. Major problems associated with the growth in the economy have put great pressure and strains on Dublin Airport's infrastructure. The economy is thriving as a result of decisions taken by the Government to ensure the Celtic tiger continues to thrive. Issues relating to a thriving First World economy, not Third World facilities, have brought about some of the pressures and strains at Dublin Airport.

The decisions require widespread planning, careful consideration of all issues and a needs assessment of the airlines. It is critical that decisions are made in consultation with the airlines and stakeholders. We need to make the right decisions and the airlines are critical stakeholders. Senator Brian Hayes spoke about customers, but the airport's customers are actually the airlines. They dictate whether they will do business with the airports. Their needs must be assessed and catered for to ensure the growth in numbers travelling through and in the tourism sector. We cannot lose sight of that.

We must also consult with the workers because they have brought us to where we are now. They had a huge input during very difficult times in the economy and forgave and forwent all manners of conditions and pay increments to which they were entitled. They ensured the success of the airport and aviation sector. Their considerable contribution must be recognised in any changes.

Other people must also be taken into account, such as those who live in the region of the airport. The Opposition talks about expanding growth and installing new terminals and runways immediately. There are people in the greater Fingal area who believe there should be a cap on the number of passengers travelling through Dublin Airport.