Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State. I am glad to speak on this motion. Unlike other speakers, I am not hung up on ideology, although I think everybody has to say that, nor am I concerned about ownership. However, it is important there are improvements at Dublin Airport, to which this motion mostly relates. I do not like the word "terminal" but I suppose it is the only one we can use to describe what we are looking for here. It is most important there is an efficient cost-effective base and the commercial rate of return about which the Minister spoke.

I was very interested in the debate on security at Dublin Airport and, indeed, in the regional airports. My first reaction was to ask, why are more people not involved in screening? However, the Minister dealt with that question. It is important there are extra screening areas. As in the United States of America, there is no reason people could not be interviewed in order to get details in regard to their flights, even if they are in a queue.

As the Minister said, since September 2001 and the terrorist attacks, there have been many difficulties in regard to security. Anyone who has travelled in the United States will know of the difficulty there. I know from having travelled in the Middle East in recent years that it is even more difficult there. If we go to the extreme whereby people must take off their shoes and sometimes their belts and braces, then they will not be interested in travelling. One wonders why we cannot deal with this issue in some other way. Speakers have said we must think of the customers first and there should be a better way to deal with this issue.

It is interesting that passengers are being asked to be at Dublin Airport 90 minutes before flying. That has been the case at the airport for some time. The regional airports also advise that one should arrive 90 minutes before boarding. There are twice daily flights from Galway to London City Airport, which boasts a 20 minute arrival time before checking in. If one goes to the Aran Islands from Galway one is required to arrive only 15 minutes before departure.

There will be competition and we have to be aware of it. This is happening at a time when travel is popular. Today's newspapers refer to the increase in the number of elderly who are travelling. I applaud and welcome that but if we go to the extremes outlined in this debate, travelling will be made very difficult. While there must be security, the airlines have a major role to play. I do not see why they would not undertake an audit, given that the European Union has done one which has been well reported.

It is interesting that Galway has the fastest growing airport in the country. I welcome the fact that it is putting security in place. Airport officials in Galway say that if there is to be extra security, which they would welcome, it will require greater expenditure and there will have to be greater co-operation from the public. The airlines have to play their role in security matters as well as the EU auditors.