Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 53: To ask the Minister for Transport his strategy for the development of Dublin Airport and the protection of air transport related jobs at the airport; the discussions he has had with the Dublin Airport Authority in this regard since 1 November 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13664/09]

Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 56: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the introduction of a special task force to address all issues in the aviation sector including the loss of aviation jobs at airline operators and in the aviation maintenance and engineering industries, the declining volume of passengers in the transport industry and the impact of the €10 airport departure tax on travel and tourism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13676/09]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Transport the facilities envisaged for maintenance or overhaul of aircraft at Dublin Airport in the future; if it is intended to encourage the restoration of facilities provided by a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13982/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 53, 56 and 125 together.

As a truly global industry, the airline industry and the aviation sector more generally are particularly vulnerable in the current global economic downturn. In the context of our national aviation policy, my priorities are to maintain the highest possible levels of connectivity between Ireland and key markets around the world to support economic and tourism activity and to ensure that the development of our airports facilitates this. My Department will continue to closely monitor developments in the aviation sector that impact on these objectives.

I am very sensitive to the employment implications of the downturn on the aviation industry, particularly in the labour intensive aircraft maintenance sector and I have kept in close contact with my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment in recent weeks in relation to the employment implications of the proposed closure of SR Technics. In this regard, I can confirm that my officials are in close contact with the Department of Enterprise, Trade Employment, the IDA and Enterprise Ireland to ensure that any viable proposals for aviation related projects to retain as many jobs as possible in aircraft maintenance are given serious consideration. The Dublin Airport Authority has also committed to giving serious consideration to any commercial proposal put to it as regards access to the hangars formerly used by SR Technics.

Turning to the Government's new airport departure tax, the introduction of which was announced by my colleague, the Minister for Finance, in the last budget in October 2008, it should be noted that Ireland is not unique in applying such a tax. A number of countries within the EU apply similar taxes including, the UK and France, as do Australia and New Zealand. The rates for the Irish air travel tax at €10 and €2 are not unreasonable when compared to rates in other countries. While I appreciate the airline industry continues to go through a difficult period, oil prices have fallen significantly this year and it should be borne in mind that aviation fuel remains completely exempt from Government tax.