Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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484. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) concerning the Dublin Airport economic impact study for the Dublin Airport Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8302/16]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​My Department published the National Aviation Policy (NAP) in August last year which recognises our dependence on aviation for our links with the rest of the world and the importance of ensuring that the sector can continue to grow to underpin economic recovery and development.  As you know, one of the objectives outlined in the NAP is the development of Dublin Airport as a secondary hub in order to compete effectively with the UK and other European Airports.  In order to meet this objective, the NAP also recognises the need to commence the process to develop the second runway at Dublin Airport, to ensure the infrastructure necessary for the airport's position as a secondary hub and operate to global markets without weight restrictions is available when needed.

A record 25 million passengers passed through Dublin Airport in 2015, an increase of over 15%, making Dublin Airport the second fastest growing airport in Europe.  The airport has developed and is successfully implementing a hub strategy which has made it the 6th most important European hub for connectivity to North America, ahead of such competing airports as Rome, Munich and Zurich.  However, 80% of slot times allocated to airlines for take-off and landing between 5am and midnight will be fully utilised for summer 2016 and the airport will be full or nearly full for aircraft movements at a significant number of hours in the operational day. 

In line with its statutory responsibility, it is a matter for daa to ensure that the necessary infrastructure is in place to facilitate the development of the airport and that there is sufficient capacity to meet existing and future demand. I welcome the fact that the daa has decided to move forward in this regard.