asked the Minister for lndustry and Commerce whether he has received the report from Aer Rianta Teoranta, on the provision of an airport in Cork and if he is prepared to permit a scheduled air service to be operated by Cork Airways Company on a temporary basis for the present tourist season from the licensed airport at Farmer's Cross, Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Airport.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (a) whether he has yet come to a decision regarding the location of an airfield at Cork and if so, if he will state the nature of the decision, (b) whether it is to be a large aerodrome such as Collinstown or Shannon or whether it is the intention of his Department to grant a licence for scheduled services to the airfield already in existence at Farmer's Cross which is being run without any public expense, and which the proprietors are prepared to improve in accordance with his Department's instructions if necessary.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 4 and 5 together.
An inspection of possible sites of Cork airport has been made and the information obtained in the course of the inspection is being examined from the technical aspects as a preliminary to the submission to me of a report bearing on the location, character andcost. Until I have received and considered the report, I will not be in a position to make any statement on the matter.
For reasons which I have already stated in reply to questions in Dáil Eireann, it would not be possible for me to permit the operation of scheduled services at the Farmer's Cross airfield.
Is the Minister aware that there was a similar reply to that seven years ago?
I am quite certain the Deputy got no such reply seven years ago.
It was under investigation seven years ago and it is about time there was some decision on it.
In regard to the Farmer's Cross airport, is the Minister aware that an American plane landed there last year and that several passenger planes from Great Britain have landed at that airport?
I am aware of that but the airport does not possess the facilities which would justify its licensing for the operation of scheduled services.