asked the Minister for Transport and Power if there are any proposals to reconstruct the runways at Dublin Airport.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Airport Runways.
5.
It is proposed to strengthen one of the existing runways by constructing an asphalt overlay on it. It is hoped to carry out this work during the present financial year.
The present runway system at Dublin Airport is over 25 years old and a new system will be required within some years. The intention is to construct initially a new east-west runway to the north of the terminal area. At a later stage a parallel runway to the south of the terminal area will be provided when traffic growth requires it.
The acquisition of the necessary lands for both runways is in train. It is not possible at this stage to state when construction work on the new runway will commence but the indications are that the runway will be required before the end of the seventies and planning is proceeding with this objective in mind.
Does the Minister intend to use compulsory powers to acquire the necessary land?
I do not think they will be necessary. Perhaps I could find out—no, I am sorry; I have not that information here.
Is it intended to pay a grant for insulation against noise for these houses which will be effected by the construction of the new runways as they are not affected by a noise problem at present? This is being done in Stansted in England; is it intended to do it over here?
That seems to be a separate question.
It is not a separate question because it affects the construction of runways. I am surprised at the Minister's reply to the previous question because I had a similar question down in May and got a completely different answer.
The Deputy got exactly the same answer. I think the question of noise is a separate matter which I feel would concern Local Government more than Transport and Power.