Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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205. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is satisfied that the infrastructure at Dublin Airport, such as taxiways, ramp area and contact stands are adequate to cater for existing aircraft operations. [23844/18]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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As the deputy is aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the provision of adequate capacity to meet current and future demand.

Passenger traffic at Dublin Airport in 2017 increased to almost 30 million. As this growth trend is expected to continue, albeit at a slower pace, capacity concerns at Dublin Airport in the short, medium and longer term are being managed and addressed in a number of ways.

In the short to medium term, I understand that the daa has a programme of works underway at the Airport, which comprises a suite of passenger-processing, stands and airfield projects required to deliver passenger growth to end-2019. With further passenger growth envisaged beyond 2019, additional infrastructure will be required to ensure the sustainable development of the Airport in accordance with a new Dublin Airport Masterplan. The next Capital Investment Programme, due to be finalised by the Commission for Aviation Regulation next year, will provide an allowance for necessary investment in capital infrastructure at the Airport from 2020.

To ensure that Dublin Airport, along with our other State airports at Cork and Shannon, are prepared for the longer term to 2050, a Review of their capacity need is now underway. In the case of Dublin Airport only, the study is considering the time frame for the development of new terminal capacity – Terminal 3 – and its appropriate design and optimum location as well as an assessment of 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. I expect the review to be completed shortly.