Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 258: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress being made towards providing a second terminal in Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5968/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Passenger traffic through Dublin Airport is forecast to grow from last year's level of more than 17 million passengers to 30 million by 2018. New infrastructure capacity and facilities, both airside and landside, will clearly be needed to cater for this growth, including further terminal capacity. The issue at this point is how best to provide that additional capacity to meet passenger growth.

As the Deputy is aware, An Agreed Programme for Government includes a commitment to examine proposals for a new independent terminal at the airport and to progress such proposals if the evidence suggests that such a terminal will deliver significant benefits. I recognise that an early decision is desirable in regard to this matter so that, regardless of how it is provided, adequate terminal capacity is in place at Dublin Airport when required to meet the growth in passenger traffic. I am in the process of finalising proposals that I will be bringing to Government very shortly. My objective in putting proposals to Government will be to ensure the provision and operation of terminal capacity on an efficient, cost effective basis.