Vol. 403 No. 5
3 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Taoiseach if, following the discussion document put forward by the Fine Gael Party Baldonnel Airport Development Plan - Discussion Document and the so far favourable response thereto, he will now commission an indepth study and survey of the area in order to satisfy himself as to the desirability and viability of such a project.
Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel is fully utilised for Air Corps training and operational purposes. Consequently no proposals to commission a study of the nature suggested are contemplated.
Will the Taoiseach reconsider this matter in view of the fact that it has been intimated to me that the cost of providing a civil/military airport would be £2.25 million. It is a jobs and services black spot. There is need for stability in the area. It would have a bigger catchment area than either Waterford, Sligo, Kerry or Galway airports. In view of what it could do for the area and of the problems which are faced in areas like Tallaght and Clondalkin, will the Taoiseach consider commissioning a study?
To take the last point first, we have done well by Tallaght recently and I am very encouraged by what is happening there. I understand the new town centre is a great success.
You withdrew the local link buses. Give them back.
The Tallaght Town Centre was the direct result——
The Taoiseach would not be familiar with such mundane things. The people cannot go there.
This is the Deputy's brother's question. I suggest that if good manners do not permit it, fraternal love might——
Fraternal something.
Relationship. The policy is quite clear. Dublin Airport is quite capable of handling all the traffic in the capital now and for a considerable time to come. There is provision for a second runway at Dublin Airport should the expansion of air traffic require it. There is no need, from the point of view of aviation policy, to have another airport like Baldonnel near Dublin city. There is need for the Air Corps to have their headquarters at Baldonnel and to have an operational base there. We would be reluctant to interfere with that unless it was necessary. The combination of a civil and military airport is never very satisfactory.
Is the Taoiseach aware that with five and a half million passengers Dublin Airport terminal facilities are at maximum capacity? The question of capacity is being looked at there. The airport is located between Gormanstown and Baldonnel, both military air spaces, and this causes delays in traffic at Dublin Airport. If we had a joint civil/military capacity at Baldonnel it would deal with the problem. Will he consider the matter on the basis of an instrument of regional development and have a study carried out particularly as the area is such an employment black spot?
It is always possible to keep it under review but I could not go further than that at this stage.
The questions we are embarking upon now are for priority.
