asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he is aware that increasing numbers of birds in the vicinity of Dublin Airport constitute a grave danger to aircraft flying into and out of that airport; and what steps are being taken to remedy this situation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Airport Bird Hazard.
22.
I find no evidence of any abnormal increase in the number of birds in the vicinity of Dublin Airport. All the usual methods for the control and dispersal of birds at airports are availed of. These include propane-operated scarers, pistol-operated flare cartridges, shotguns and an electronic bird dispersal unit.
Newspapers have given a great deal of publicity to this problem and I think it is true to say that in recent times two aircraft suffered damage because of increasing numbers of birds at the airport. Would the Minister further agree it was a great pity the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis was not held out there——
(Interruptions.)
I admit this is a problem.