Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 12: To ask the Minister for Transport his plans in regard to the future of Aer Lingus with particular reference to the likely ownership of the second terminal at Dublin Airport; if it is intended to provide a rapid rail transport service to relieve traffic congestion in the vicinity of the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15652/05]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 20: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will report on the discussions he had with the Dublin Airport Authority and other bodies in respect of the optimal location for a second terminal at Dublin Airport; the studies which he or the DAA has commissioned in this regard; and his views on this matter. [15669/05]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 51: To ask the Minister for Transport the position with regard to the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if proposals have been brought to Cabinet on this issue; when a final decision will be taken; his views on whether the second terminal should be owned by the Dublin Airport Authority; the reason it has taken so long to reach a decision on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15571/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 139: To ask the Minister for Transport the way in which it is proposed to provide the required competition at Dublin Airport in the future for landing and handling facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15863/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Transport his preferred option for the provision of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if this should be independent or under present ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15864/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Transport the number of terminals required at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15865/05]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Transport when agreement will be reached at Government in relation to the provision of extra terminal facilities at Dublin Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15866/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 20, 51 and 139 to 142, inclusive, together.

I have already dealt in detail with the position in regard to the provision of additional terminal capacity at Dublin Airport in my earlier reply today to Priority Questions Nos. 2 and 4.

With regard to Aer Lingus, as one of the main customers of Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus operational requirements will have to be taken into account by whoever owns and manages the new terminal.

I am very anxious, in the interests of the airline and the Irish economy generally, to achieve clarity on the future of Aer Lingus as soon as possible. Aer Lingus must be provided with the flexibility to grow and compete on a level playing field. To fund growth and to provide financial security, Aer Lingus must have access to the full range of funding mechanisms and equity capital is a crucial element in that mix.

In that context, the Government will be making a decision shortly on the necessary arrangements to be put in place to facilitate investment in Aer Lingus.

On the matter of providing rapid rail transport services to Dublin Airport, the programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport.

The Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a detailed business case for a metro from the city centre to Dublin Airport while Iarnród Éireann submitted proposals last July for an integrated rail network in the greater Dublin area.

In the light of the announcement by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of agreement in principle to a ten year capital investment envelope for transport, work is under way in my Department on a ten year transport investment framework.

An outline of the investment framework is currently under consideration by a Cabinet committee. I will bring proposals to Government in due course once the Cabinet committee has concluded its work.