Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Mar 2000

Vol. 517 No. 1

Written Answers. - Baldonnel Aerodrome.

Austin Deasy

Question:

82 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has in conjunction with the Department of Defence to have discussions with airline companies with a view to having Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, used for commercial as well as military flights; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9176/00]

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 policy on airports. In recent years, both the Minister for Defence and I have received several proposals on limited development of civil aviation at Baldonnel.

The position of Baldonnel was considered in the recent Warburg Dillon Read-AIB 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 the Government shortly. The approach to be taken with airline companies or any other interested parties in relation to the possible commercial use of Baldonnel would be a matter for consideration following any Government decision on the future strategy for the aerodrome. Any plans for discussions with such parties would be premature at this stage and are therefore not envisaged.

Officials of my Department and the Department of Defence maintain regular contact in relation to proposals concerning the possible use of Baldonnel for civil aviation purposes.