Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 113: To ask the Minister for Transport his vision for the future development of air transport to and from Ireland with particular reference to the role he envisages for Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus or other carriers; if he is satisfied regarding the degree to which passengers can gain fast and efficient access to and through the airport; the groups, bodies or agencies, public or private with which or with whom he has had discussions in this regard; when he expects the airport to reach full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6512/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government's objective with regard to aviation policy is to facilitate and encourage a wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive commercial air services for Irish tourism, trade and industry. In furtherance of this policy, the Government has taken a number of key strategic decisions in recent years.

With specific reference to Dublin Airport, the Government decided that the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) should proceed with the development of a new terminal and associated infrastructural works to be put in place by 2009.

Under its Capital Investment Programme, the DAA have embarked on the development of Terminal Two and the associated pier facilities to be constructed close to the existing terminal. Fingal County Council granted planning permission for the project in October 2006 and this is now under appeal to An Bord Pleanála. I am assured that the DAA is working to the Government deadline to have the terminal operational by 2009. In addition, Pier D is currently under construction and it is hoped to have this completed by the end of this year.

Finally, the DAA is at the planning stages for the construction of a second runway which will provide for significant additional capacity at the airport. Taking into account all these major capacity improvements, my view is that Dublin Airport will not reach full capacity for many years.

With regard to the question of congestion at the airport, the DAA are confident that the recent decision of the Commission for Aviation Regulation to designate Dublin Airport as a coordinated airport for the summer of 2007 will help reduce congestion during peak hours.

In addition, I understand that the company will put in place a number of capacity enhancement projects for the 2007 summer season which are expected to improve the efficiency of access to, and within, the airport. From the point of view of civil aviation policy generally, my view is that Dublin Airport has considerable scope to expand to cater for growth in air traffic for many years to come and accordingly Dublin does not need a second airport. Indeed the national spatial strategy has acknowledged that the expansion of the level of air services from Dublin Airport to a wider range of destinations is essential in the interests of underpinning Ireland's future international competitiveness.

With regard to the role of Aer Lingus and other carriers, I am firmly of the view that Ireland's economic interests are best served by having as many airlines as possible competing vigorously and seeking to exploit all possible opportunities for new services.

My Departmental officials and I have regular meetings with all relevant aviation stakeholders, including the DAA, with regard to the implementation of Government policy for State Airports and for aviation matters generally.