Frances Fitzgerald
Question:44 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the proposals, if any, she has for the use of Baldonnell as a non-military aviation service area. [12695/99]
Written Answers. - Baldonnel Aerodrome.
The question of using Baldonnel as an aerodrome for civil aviation purposes is one which falls to be considered by me, following consultation with my colleague, the Minister for Defence, against the backdrop of an overall strategy for the airports sector in Ireland.
As the Deputy is aware, the board of Aer Rianta submitted a report to me on 15 April last on the future strategic direction of the company. The question of introducing commercial airport facilities at Baldonnel will be considered within the overall context of that strategic review.
The Minister for Finance and I have jointly appointed a team of advisers, led by Warburg Dillon Read, to assist us both in our examination of the Aer Rianta report and to advise on the full range of recommendations made in it. It is expected that the consultants will take about two months to complete their work.
I intend, in the light of my own scrutiny of Aer Rianta's report, to give full consideration to all aspects of airport policy, including the question of how best to ensure the provision of adequate airport infrastructure in the areas of greatest demand.