Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Bradford for sharing his time with me. I agree with the decision to develop a second airport terminal at Dublin Airport. I suggest some improvements could be made now. I raised the issue of parking in this House. I parked my car at the airport for one day last week and the daily cost was €30. I was in a hurry and I parked at the terminal. The parking charges for my car were more than the flight cost. This did not include any extras such as car washing or valeting. I would prefer to use other car parks but I was in a hurry that day.

On another occasion I used the Aer Rianta car park costing €8 a day. On returning, I sat into the shuttle bus to the car park. The driver left the bus to deliver an item into the airport building. The second bus arrived and we remained waiting in our bus for 18 minutes. I made a complaint at airport reception but was informed that it was not their problem because these were private bus operators. This is unacceptable. The driver eventually returned and I was happy to get to my car. That driver's lack of service let down the Aer Rianta employees who give sterling service. There seemed to be no procedures in place to discipline him. Tourists were also waiting for service and were disappointed, as was I.

I compliment the Quick Park service. It is obviously independently operated and the cost is €5 per day. The service from Quick Park is much faster to the airport and represents value for money.

I suggest Dublin Airport take a leaf out of Knock Airport's book. The security personnel welcome the passengers home with a smile. Knock Airport charges a €10 departure fee and those of us in the west of Ireland are delighted to support the airport because that charge pays for the upgrade of vital facilities which are of significant benefit to the area. People will pay charges if they get the service.

I was concerned to learn that knives, replica guns and a replica bomb could be brought through security at Dublin Airport, especially when one considers that security staff were aware of the presence of 15 inspectors. Even in a heightened security environment, therefore, inspectors were able to bring such items through. The workers are not to be blamed for this but rather the procedures in place in the airport. The inspectors' findings represent a serious breach of security and such incidents should not take place again.

Fine Gael believes the Dublin Airport Authority should have some say in the development of a new terminal but that this terminal should have an independent operator. This is the approach that works in business and other related areas. I welcome the Fine Gael motion.