Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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52. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans for the development of a third terminal at Dublin Airport; the meetings which have taken place on the matter between him and his officials since he came to office in May 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21957/17]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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There are currently no plans for the development of a third terminal at Dublin Airport. However, the question of the third terminal has risen in the context of a high level, strategic capacity review of Ireland's State airports which I announced late last year would be undertaken by my Department in 2017.

This is in line with the National Aviation Policy which committed that the Department would commission such a review in 2018 and which I decided to bring forward given the anticipated continued strong passenger growth and the decision by daa to proceed with the construction of the second parallel runway.

As part of the normal interaction between Ministers and the Department, I regularly meet with my officials to discuss a range of matters covering the aviation area.

The review will consider the long-term development of the three State airports to 2050, with the identification and prioritisation of new infrastructure development including modification, if any, to the existing airport infrastructure.

In the case of Dublin Airport only, the study will consider the timeframe for the development of new terminal capacity – Terminal 3 – and its appropriate design and optimum location. The review will also assess the relative advantages and disadvantages of the funding and operation of Terminal 3 by the existing airport operator in comparison to being operated on an independent basis.

The review will take account of the wider government objectives and policies for enterprise, tourism and balanced regional development in Ireland and developments in the global aviation market.

The selection process is nearing completion and work is expected to commence shortly. It is anticipated that this review will be completed by the end of the year.