Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 59: To ask the Minister for Transport the cost benefit analysis carried out on the second terminal for Dublin Airport; the proposed access links between the south and north second runway; and the proposed traffic management measures for the accommodation of the projected increase in passengers through the eastern campus of the airport. [35863/06]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Aviation Action Plan, adopted by Government in May 2005, mandated the building of a second terminal in Dublin airport by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). This decision was driven by the urgent need to provide for additional capacity at the airport in response to the phenomenal growth in passenger numbers there in recent years.

Given this mandate it is now the responsibility of the DAA to proceed with meeting the Government's objective of having this new terminal in place by 2009. The DAA is required to take full account of the capital appraisal guidelines issued by the Department of Finance and responsibility for compliance with the guidelines rests with the board of the company.

The present position with regard to the proposed new terminal is that the planning application was approved, with conditions, by Fingal County Council last week. The application was submitted following wide-ranging consultation with users, statutory authorities and other interested parties. Subject to the outcome of the planning process, construction of the new terminal will begin in summer 2007.

The site selected by the DAA for the second terminal is considered to be the optimal location for a new terminal in the context of the long term, cost effective development of the airport. The site makes best use of the existing utilities and was selected with advice from a team of international aviation design experts.

The consultants appointed by my Department to verify the specification and cost of T2 concluded that the methodology, approach and execution of the planning objectives and considerations for passengers adopted by the DAA accords with best practice. They also found that the estimated cost of the new terminal is within industry norms for this type of project in a European capital city.

The proposed access routes to the airport between the existing southern runway and the proposed new northern runway will be upgraded as conditioned by Fingal County Council in their notification of decision to grant permission for T2.

The T2 planning application also included proposals for an upgraded internal campus road scheme with capacity to cater for increased traffic volumes from the projected increase in passenger numbers. The scheme includes plans for new roads, widening of existing roads, set down and pickup areas for both public and private transport, bus lanes on all entry and exit routes and the provision of upgraded bus and coach facilities. In addition, the scheme also safeguards an area for an underground metro station adjacent to both T1 and T2.

A Mobility Management Framework Plan was also submitted as part of the planning application. This plan outlines how the Dublin Airport Authority proposes to achieve a sustainable balance in the mix of public and private transport among all users of Dublin Airport.