John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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22. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he plans to extend the runway at Baldonnel Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58335/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department has not been advised of any current operational requirements for the immediate extension of the runways at Casement Aerodrome. As such there is currently no project to extend the runways included in the Defence Forces Infrastructure Development Plan. To that end, I am satisfied the current infrastructure provision is sufficient to enable the Air Corp carry out it's current operational requirements.

In the context of the Commission of Defence and future plans for the Air Corps, a Master Plan on Airside Operations at the Aerodrome has been proposed by the military authorities involving the appointment of external specialist consultants to undertake this evaluation. The issues of runway configuration, length, and associated taxiways, aprons, air traffic control and crash rescue services are among those which would be examined and reported on. Given the highly specialised nature of planning for airports, it is intended to procure specialist consultants to work with the Defence Forces on this Master Plan. The procurement for same is expected to commence in early 2023. At this stage it is not possible to indicate what proposals, if any, for infrastructure at the aerodrome may arise from this evaluation.