Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 Feb 2000

Vol. 515 No. 3

Written Answers. - Baldonnel Aerodrome.

Liam Lawlor

Question:

113 Mr. Lawlor asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if any determination has been reached on proposals to establish Baldonnel Aerodrome as a commercial airport in view of the various views in the general area which would be affected by such a development. [5822/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

Any use of Baldonnel for civil aviation purposes is a matter which falls to be considered by me, in consultation with the Minister for Defence, in the context of overall airports policy.

The position of Baldonnell was considered in the recent consultancy report on Aer Rianta's future strategic direction which assessed the merits of a second airport in Dublin particularly in the context of the possible development by commercial interests of Baldonnel Aerodrome.

I note that, with regard to Baldonnel, the advisers see no reason for the Government to hinder commercial development at the aerodrome subject to appropriate planning and Irish Aviation Authority approvals. They believe, however, that while the development of a corporate jet facility on a commercial basis could be viable, a larger scale passenger airport development at Baldonnel would be commercially challenging.

These issues are addressed in the advisers' report which is now publicly available. I am now giving careful consideration to the findings and recommendations of that report and I will be submitting my proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible.