asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether he has yet received a report concerning how Shannon Airport is likely to be affected by the putting into service of new commercial jet aircraft, and, if so, if he will state the nature of such report; whether it has been decided to extend the existing runways, and, if so, to what event, and, if not, whether in view of the urgent need for such extensions, and of the necessity for making the air companies aware in good time of any proposed improved facilities, he will make a statement.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Shannon Airport.
I have not yet received a full report as to how Shannon Airport is likely to be affected by the putting into service of the new commercial jet aircraft, but the departmental investigation of the matter has proceeded far enough to enable me to say that if the airlines want to bring the new jet aircraft into Shannon Airport there are no serious technical difficulties in the way of making any necessary extensions to the airport in good time. It would help me in reaching a final decision in this matter if I had definite information as to how exactly the airlines propose to route the new aircraft across the Atlantic and what facilities, if any, they will require at Shannon for them. So far, this information has not been forthcoming.