Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 1775: To ask the Minister for Defence if, in respect of the question of a second Dublin airport since 1995 his Department has been consulted or has considered the use of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnell, as a second commercial airport for Dublin; and the conclusion reached for same. [2455/07]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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Periodic interest by the private sector has been expressed during the past decade or so in relation to the use of Casement Aerodrome for Civil Aviation purposes. The establishment of facilities for civil aviation purposes is, however, primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport. Under the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, 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, this 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.