Alan Kelly (Tipperary, Labour)
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55. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reverse Dublin Airport's monopoly and ensure the national planning framework's target of having three quarters of population growth outside Dublin between now and 2040 is deliverable (details supplied). [5749/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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Airports are strategically vital to Ireland. We depend on our aviation links with the rest of the world both socially and economically. The National Aviation Policy for Ireland (NAP) acknowledges this position and supports the development of our State and regional airports - Dublin Airport as a secondary hub, Cork and Shannon Airports as key business and tourism gateways for their regions, with the regional airports enabling international access directly into their respective areas.

To ensure that our airports are prepared for the longer term, in September last, I announced a Review of the Capacity Needs of Ireland's State Airports. The review will examine the capacity requirements to meet forecasted passenger throughput at the three airports to 2050 and identify priorities for infrastructure provision. The Review will also take account of the wider Government objectives and policies for enterprise, tourism and balanced regional development in Ireland, including the goals and objectives set out in the National Planning Framework, Ireland 2040, launched recently by my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning Community and Local Government.

Tenders from consultants for this review have been received and are currently being assessed within by Department. I expect that the contract to undertake the review will be awarded to the preferred bidder shortly and that it will be completed by mid year.