Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
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Question 934: To ask the Minister for Defence the submission his Department has made regarding a proposal by a company (details supplied) to develop a business airport for Dublin. [14628/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I assume the Deputy is referring to the airspace change proposal submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority by Weston Airport Limited in 2005, which includes the use of instrument navigation aids to assist the arrival and departure of aircraft in accordance with instrument flight rules. Use of these landing aids would result in flight paths which would penetrate military airspace.

The Irish Aviation Authority convened a group called the Weston action group to examine the implications of the airspace change proposal. As the Air Corps's main operational aerodrome and military flying airspace is adjacent to Weston and will be affected by the airspace change proposal, the IAA invited my Department and the Air Corps to participate in the meetings of the Weston action group to ensure the levels of safety afforded to, and operational capability of, military aircraft and the aerodrome are not compromised. This remains the sole purpose of my Department's involvement on the Weston action group.

My principal concern regarding Weston Aerodrome is the maintenance of safe and functional airspace in which military flight training and air operations can continue on a 24-hour basis from Baldonnel. The decision as to whether Weston's request for an airspace change is granted is solely within the remit of the Irish Aviation Authority.