Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will develop and publish an aviation policy, setting out a clear vision for the development of this sector over the coming decade; if Cork Airport will be a central component to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52659/12]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The primary aim of our aviation policy at present as set out in my Department's Statement of Strategy 2011-2014 is to ensure that the sector supports Ireland's economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost-effective and sustainable manner and to ensure maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world. Given the critical importance of the sector to the economy, I have decided to launch a review process for the development of a new civil aviation policy for Ireland. To this end I have invited representatives from all stakeholders to attend a one day conference on 3 December 2012 to launch this process. I expect to have this process concluded and the new civil aviation policy published in early 2014.

Cork airport is an important part of Ireland's civil aviation infrastructure and this will be taken account of as part of the review process. The Government has already decided that the future of Cork airport is best safeguarded by it remaining for the present as part of the DAA.