asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if, in view of the provision in the recent Anglo-Irish air agreement in relation to air services from Cork, he will state what additional facilities are required at the existing Government licensed airfield at Farmers' Cross so as to enable scheduled services to be operated by the same class of planes as have successfully operated there for the past eight years.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cork Air Services.
The fact that a particular type of aircraft could land at and take off from Farmers' Cross on an isolated occasion does not mean that a scheduled service could be operated from the airfield with aircraft of that type.
I am advised that a scheduled daylight service with 12 to 20 seater aircraft of the type now available, could not be operated safely and to schedule at Farmers' Cross unless there were available a main take-off run of 3,500-4,000 feet and a subsidiary runway somewhat shorter, an instrument landing or ground radar system, fire-fighting and first-aid services, a qualified weather observer and adequate equipment for instantaneous communication with aircraft and with other airports. The requirements for night operations and for larger aircraft would be more exacting.