asked the Minister for Transport whether work at Knock Airport, County Mayo, is being carried out to established engineering criteria; and the Government agency that has technical responsibility in this regard.
124.
Written Answers. - Connaught Regional Airport.
123.
asked the Minister for Transport with what legal entity is his Department dealing in regard to the Connaught regional airport project; and if he is satisfied with the administrative and technical capacity of the entity to complete the project and operate the airport on a technically competent and financially sound basis.
I propose to take Question Nos. 123 and 124 together.
My Department are dealing with the Connaught Airport Development Company Limited in the matter of the Connaught Regional Airport. The company have retained appropriate professional and technical consultants and advisers and I have no reason to doubt their capacity to complete and implement the project. The Connaught Regional Airport is being constructed to International Civil Aviation Organisation standards and the work is being monitored by a steering group which includes representatives of the Department of Transport, the Department of Finance and Aer Rianta.
125.
asked the Minister for Transport which Government agency has responsibility for authorising expenditure at Knock Airport, County Mayo; whether public tenders are invited for the various stages; if so, the dates and papers in which the advertisements were placed; and how the public interest is safeguarded.
Expenditure at the Connaught Regional Airport is authorised by the Department of Transport from the Vote for that Department. The first contract, for general site clearing, excavation, filling etc., was not publicly advertised but tenders were invited from ten contractors. An advertisement for the second contract, for laying the runway and associated works, was inserted in the four national daily newspapers on 26 April 1982 inviting contractors to apply for prequalification. The public interest is safeguarded through the presence on the board of the Connaught Regional Airport Development Company Limited — the company carrying out the construction of the airport — of two of my nominees and one nominee of the Minister for Finance. In addition, a steering group representative of the company, the Department of Transport, the Department of Finance and Aer Rianta monitors progress on the project and advises me in relation to it. Tender documents and the placing of contracts must be approved by me before issue by the company.
126.
asked the Minister for Transport the Government agency, if any, that will be responsible for losses at Knock Airport, County Mayo.
127.
asked the Minister for Transport whether Aer Rianta will be responsible for the operation of Knock Airport, County Mayo; and, if not, who will be.
128.
asked the Minister for Transport the legislation under which funds are being made available for the establishment of Connaught Regional Airport at Knock, County Mayo; and if it is envisaged that an annual subvention will be forthcoming if there should be a need for such a subvention to keep the airport in operation.
I propose to take Question Nos. 126, 127 and 128 together.
The statutory provisions relating to the amounts issuable from the Exchequer to meet Departmental voted expenditure are contained in the annual Appropriation Act and the Central Fund (Permanent Provisions) Act, 1965. It is at present envisaged that operational and financial responsibility for the Connaught Regional Airport will rest with local interests.
129.
asked the Minister for Transport the length of the runway at Knock Airport, County Mayo.
The proposed length of the runway at the Connaught Regional Airport is 6,000 feet.