John Perry (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 15: To ask the Minister for Defence the recent approaches which have been made to him with a view to developing Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, County Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32346/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel is the principal base of the Air Corps. With the withdrawal of aircraft from Gormanston and the relocation of Air Corps headquarters to Baldonnel, the Air Corps has the basis for better management of its resources. Baldonnel will continue to be the centre of military aviation in Ireland.

Periodic interest has been expressed by the private sector during the past decade or so in relation to the use of Casement Aerodrome for Civil Aviation purposes. No recent approaches, however, have been made to my Department in this regard.

The establishment of facilities for civil aviation purposes is primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport. Under the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993, however, aerodromes under my authority are precluded from regulation by the Irish Aviation Authority. Only the regulation of military aviation activities at military aerodromes comes within my remit.

Before any consideration could be given to having commercial aviation at Baldonnel it would be necessary to bring Casement Aerodrome within the licensing and regulatory control of the Irish Aviation Authority, which would require an amendment to Section 3 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. This is a matter for consideration in the first instance by the Minister for Transport.