Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 85: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been informed by the Dublin Airport Authority that it is considering increasing the size of the proposed second terminal at Dublin Airport from its original plan; if so, the level of increase which is envisaged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21920/06]

Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 145: To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to when work will commence on the second terminal at Dublin Airport; if he has satisfied himself regarding the temporary measures in place at Dublin Airport to allow for increased passenger numbers at the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/06]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 145 together.

Following on from a Government decision of 18 May 2005 on capacity at Dublin Airport, the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is working towards the provision of additional terminal capacity, and particularly the development of Terminal 2, in line with the timetable envisaged at the time of the Government decision. The actual specifications of the new terminal, with regard to size and design, are currently the subject of discussions with airport users and so I am not in a position to provide the Deputy with that information at this stage.

A number of functional options for the terminal are being evaluated by the DAA at present. This will be followed by design work to allow for a planning application to be submitted to Fingal County Council. The DAA is working towards a target operational date of 2009 for the new terminal.

When making the decision on Terminal Two, the Government approved a triple safeguard to ensure maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness of the new terminal. As part of that safeguard, the specification and cost of the new terminal will be independently verified by consultants appointed by my Department and this work has also been underway for some months.

In the period April to October this year it is expected that more than 15 million passengers will pass through Dublin Airport. This will be a 21% increase over the same period for last year. The DAA has confirmed to me that they are taking all possible and appropriate measures to cope with the increased passenger numbers, given the tightly constrained nature of the existing terminal and related facilities. I am informed that a temporary boarding lounge with eight additional gates has just been opened and a range of measures to improve space and facilities have been put in place in the terminal.