Written answers

Wednesday, 19 October 2005

9:00 pm

Photo of Jimmy DeenihanJimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 104: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has received all the business plans from the three State airports; if not, if he has asked their authorities the reason for the delay; when the restructuring of the State airports will be complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28845/05]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 129: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress made to date in developing a second terminal at Dublin Airport; and when the terminal will be fully operational. [28842/05]

Photo of Olwyn EnrightOlwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 137: To ask the Minister for Transport the position regarding a new runway at Dublin Airport; if this project has his approval; the anticipated cost of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28831/05]

Photo of Bernard AllenBernard Allen (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Transport if he will publish an aviation policy as guidance to the Dublin Airport Authority in its operation of the State airports and in terms of the national airport in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28824/05]

Photo of Olivia MitchellOlivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 233: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on whether the planned developments at Dublin Airport necessitate the development of a mass public transport system to the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29711/05]

Photo of Martin CullenMartin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 104, 129, 137, 153 and 233 together.

My Department's statement of strategy for 2005-2007 sets out my broad aviation policy objectives. This policy is underpinned by the State Airports Act 2004, which provides a framework for the restructuring of the three airports and the more recent Government decision in May of this year concerning the provision of new terminal capacity at Dublin Airport. I do not envisage publishing additional policy guidance for Dublin Airport at present.

I have addressed the position relating to the business planning process in my earlier reply today to the priority question on this matter.

Passenger traffic through Dublin Airport is forecast to grow to in excess of 18 million passengers this year and to 30 million by around 2015. New infrastructural capacity and facilities, both airside and landside, including further terminal and runway capacity, must be provided in a timely and cost effective manner to cater for this growth. Following consultation with airlines, the Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, recently announced its medium term plans for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport, including a new second terminal and other related developments.

Under that plan the new terminal, terminal 2, and its associated pier facilities, pier E, which will cater for both short and long haul traffic, will be provided to the south of the existing terminal and will come on stream in 2009. The plan also envisaged that other capacity enhancements, including the provision of temporary pier facilities in 2006 and a permanent new pier, pier D, will be provided by late 2007. These new pier facilities would deliver significant additional aircraft contact stands for fast turnaround operations. The programme also includes the optimisation of the existing terminal, including a northward extension of that building.

The final specifications and costings of terminal 2 will be independently verified by experts on behalf of the Government, as decided by the latter in May of this year. Also, at the appropriate time, an independent body will conduct an open tender competition to select an operator for the new terminal.

With regard to the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport, the DAA submitted its application for planning permission for the new runway to Fingal County Council in December last and that application is currently being processed by the planning authority. The DAA has estimated the cost of the proposed new runway at approximately €150 million. I am informed by the Dublin Airport Authority that the planning authority recently sought further clarification from the company on its planning application for the new runway, including information on forecast growth in passengers and aircraft movements and on a number of surface transport access issues.

It will also be a matter for the planning authorities to consider surface access issues when they consider, in due course, the DAA's planning applications for the new terminal and pier facilities at Dublin Airport. Proposals for a metro which would serve Dublin Airport are also being considered by my Department as part of its preparatory work on a ten year transport investment framework. I hope to bring proposals on the framework to Government shortly.

The strategic development of our State Airports, including Dublin Airport, is essential to underpin Ireland's competitiveness, industry and tourism. It is vital that we ensure that the potential for any new bottlenecks to emerge in our strategic national transportation infrastructure is avoided through the provision of timely and cost effective facilities.

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