Brian Hayes (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Minister for Transport if it is justified to proceed with the construction of terminal 2 at Dublin Airport in view of the fact that passenger numbers are falling at the airport, particularly with the expected increase in airport charges to follow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45039/09]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) operates under a clear commercial mandate and its capital investment programme at Dublin Airport is funded without Exchequer support. The Government's 2005 aviation action plan approved among other things the construction of a second terminal at Dublin Airport. That decision reflected widespread concern about the adequacy of facilities in Terminal 1, which originally opened in the early 1970s. Construction work on terminal 2 (T2) commenced in October 2007 and terminal construction will be completed early next year. The terminal will become operational on a phased basis in 2010. T2 will provide a necessary gateway for short haul and long haul traffic into and out of Ireland over the coming decades. The DAA considers that it is neither practicable, nor indeed would it make financial sense, to delay completion of the T2 project. Remuneration of investment in T2 depends on the overall level of airport charges at Dublin Airport, as determined by the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR). In a direction given by me to CAR on 27 October last, I drew CAR's attention to Government policy on the development of T2. It is now a matter for CAR to consider how it will address the direction in its final determination, which is due shortly.