Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 124: To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in 2006 in the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if this project can be operational by 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3337/06]

Gerard Murphy (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 150: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the cost to develop pier D at Dublin Airport; if the authority has sought an increase over that which has been sanctioned for this project; his views on the need for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3336/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 150 together.

Under the Dublin Airport Authority's, DAA, medium term plan for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport published last autumn, a new terminal and associated pier facilities, pier E, will be provided to the south of the existing terminal. These facilities are due to come on stream in 2009. The plan also provided for other capacity enhancements including the provision of temporary pier facilities in 2006 and a permanent new pier, pier D, to be in place by late 2007. These new pier facilities will deliver significant additional aircraft contact stands for fast turnaround operations.

In relation to Terminal 2, I understand that the DAA has progressed with the procurement of the project management and design teams for the project and that the authority will shortly announce the outcome of the bidding process. Work will commence immediately on the planning application and in this regard, preliminary consultation with Fingal County Council has already taken place. The DAA is working to the Government decision to have the terminal operational by 2009.

The specification and cost of Terminal 2 will be independently verified by experts on behalf of the Government. Also, at the appropriate time, an independent body will manage an open tender competition to select an operator for the new terminal. The cost of developing pier D at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the DAA. The final tender costs will not be fully known until the authority is in a position to place the procurement contract. I understand that the authority is currently actively engaged in the procurement process for pier D and expect that the process will be completed and a contract awarded within a matter of weeks. It is the intention of the DAA, that the new facility will be operational by late 2007.