Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)

Airlines can facilitate the movement of passengers through earlier opening times and greater numbers of check-in desks. It is not enough to have the Dublin Airport Authority ask passengers to arrive two hours earlier if the airlines do not open their desks to facilitate passengers. The ball is on both sides of the court for everyone to play fair and not to seize on opportunities to lay the blame in one place. An efficient airport has many stakeholders to maximise its cost effectiveness and its ability to serve its passengers well. I appeal to both sides to co-operate during peak times of passenger transit and security checks.

I am concerned with the delays at the airport I saw on my screen. There is no question that these are unacceptable. Nobody wishes to sustain such a situation for passengers and I am glad to see that all sides are moving to correct it. People must be aware that if they come to the airport on time they will generally get through efficiently. Everyone arriving late with too much baggage under their arms is unacceptable.

The DAA has advised me that it will maximise the use of existing facilities and will endeavour to efficiently manage airport processes to cope with the increasing passenger numbers passing through the terminal. It is also reviewing the level of staff resources available to effectively manage the situation. An additional 60 screeners are in training. Of these, 20 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. The availability of additional screeners will allow greater operational flexibility in rostering and dealing with peak passenger periods.

I acknowledge the work of security staff at our airports who endeavour to carry out a range of tasks to the highest standards in a complex and pressurised operating environment. Effective security demands consistent application by staff of the required security measures. I am committed to ensuring the highest standards of aviation security at our airports and will ensure that the lessons learned from the EU inspection will be taken on board. In regard to Dublin Airport specifically, I will be ensuring that the security issues are addressed in co-operation with the relevant parties so that there is full confidence in our arrangements and that they are managed in such a way as to minimise passenger disruption.