Olivia Mitchell (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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Question 343: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of its procedures in relation to the review of all major capital projects, his Department has conducted a cost-benefit analysis of the proposed new runway at Dublin Airport or an expenditure review of this project to meet the requirements of the Department of Finance guidelines for the appraisal of capital expenditure projects; if so, the findings of such analysis; if not, the reason thereof; when this analysis will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24427/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As I have previously stated, proposals in relation to the development of Dublin Airport, including the planning and provision of runway capacity, are in the first instance a matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the airport and to provide such facilities and services as it considers necessary for aircraft and passengers.

Accordingly, the issue of cost benefit analysis in relation to the proposed second runway at Dublin Airport is a matter which falls within the responsibility of the management and board of the DAA. The DAA are of course required to comply with the capital appraisal guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and responsibility for compliance with the guidelines rests with the Board of the company.

I understand from the DAA that included in the submission documents accompanying the application for planning permission for the proposed second runway is a detailed economic impact study, supported by an alternatives study, which firmly supports the development of the new runway, having examined other possibilities for providing the required capacity in a cost effective manner.