Vol. 491 No. 6
69 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the discussions, if any, she had with the EU Commission in relation to the question of competition in the provision of airports with particular reference to Dublin Airport; her understanding of the EU requirements to provide competition in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12697/98]
Neither myself nor my Department have had discussions with the EU Commission in this matter. There may be some confusion in regard to this question. The position is that no licence or other approval is required from my Department for the provision or development of an airport in Ireland. The principal statutory requirements, in addition to planning permission, relate to air safety and air navigation and are regulated by the Irish Aviation Authority. If, however, the Deputy is referred to competition between terminals within an airport, I am not aware of any specific measures in European law at present dealing with this aspect.
