Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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221. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider to conduct an independent and thorough cost-benefit analysis of the proposal to develop an additional runway at Dublin Airport recognising the potential cost to the Exchequer. [10786/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The daa has statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport with no recourse to Exchequer funding.  In line with this 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.Since the 1970s, land use planning in the environs of Dublin Airport has provided for the construction of a second parallel runway.  In 2007, the daa was granted planning permission for that runway on its landbank.  However, due to the downturn in the economy, the project was not progressed.  Given the significant increase in passenger numbers at Dublin Airport in recent years and projected traffic growth in future years, I welcome the fact that daa has now decided to move forward with this project which is in line with the National Aviation Policy published last August.  I understand that the requirement for a new runway is recognised by the airlines in general.

DAA expect to invest in the region of €320 million in North Runway Project, a multi-faceted project to include associated aprons and taxiways, drainage network and changes to the road network system.  Analysis undertaken on behalf of daa estimates that the project will support over 500 initial construction jobs and could support a further 31,000 jobs over the next two decades contributing €2.2 billion to GDP.

As a fully commercial, wholly owned State company, daa finances all major capital projects, including the runway, from debt and retained earnings.  In addition, the Commission for Aviation Regulation has established a funding mechanism, linked to the charges paid by airlines, for recoupment towards the cost of construction of the runway.