asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport the plans he has for establishing a special air tunnel for freight to the European mainland in the context of the National Development Plan 1989-1993; the work which has been done on these plans; the location which has been chosen as the main airport in Ireland; and the criteria used to make the decision on location.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Development of Air Freight Channels.
24.
The vital importance of continental European markets in Ireland's export drive, the problems of our peripheral location and the need to integrate as far as possible our air transport system with the European transport network has created an urgent requirement for additional capacity for the transport of goods by air in a fast and reliable fashion at competitive rates to our main markets within the Community. The Government's response to these needs is the proposal for the development, inter alia, of specially dedicated air freight channels to key destinations in Europe, along the lines outlined in the Government's National Development Plan 1989-1993.
The airports in Ireland and the destinations in Europe to be served by these channels will be determined following the completion of a special feasibility study but the principal factors to be taken into consideration will include the location of the demand for such services and existing airport infrastructures.
Is it intended to have one main centre for the air freight channels or to have them distributed at several airports throughout the country? Furthermore, is it intended that the air freight will be channelled to one destination for the entire EC, requiring vast warehousing and so on? Who would be in charge of that?
In the first place, as I indicated in my reply, we are getting the feasibility study under way as quickly as possible. Much will depend on the results of that research. It seems to me — I am speaking as one perhaps less wise on this matter — that the existing developed airports would be heavily called on in this regard. With relation to the second part of the Deputy's question, namely, the construction, lease or purchase of large depots, that has been under consideration, but in the commercial life of the Continent of Europe the JIT syndrome is working very strongly, in other words goods are delivered just in time and are then collected. That system would obviate the necessity for having large and expensive warehousing. I am advised that the trend is very strong in that direction.
Would the Minister indicate when the findings of the feasibility study will be published?
The instruction they will get, and if they are being paid, they tend to take instructions, is to get the report to us as quickly as possible.
In view of the Minister's reply would he not agree that Shannon Airport is ideally located, is a suitable site, for an air freight channel? Will he do away with the feasibility study——
That question has been disposed of earlier.
Deputy Mary Flaherty may not agree with you fully. On the other hand, she may.
Deputy Barry does not agree either.