Bernard J. Durkan
Question:117 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the plans, if any, she has for the promotion of further airports or airport facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9338/00]
Written Answers. - Airports Development.
In the context of examining the potential of opening Baldonnel Aerodrome for civil aviation purposes, the recent Warburg Dillon Read-AIB report considered the merits of a second airport for the Dublin area. The advisers concluded that Dublin Airport has sufficient capacity to grow for the foreseeable future and that there are no pressing reasons for the State to promote the development of a second airport in the Dublin area as a public policy objective. Nevertheless, the advisers concluded, equally, that there was no reason for the Government to inhibit such a development if it receives appropriate planning and Irish Aviation Authority approvals.
The advisers considered that an executive jet development at Baldonnel could be commercial but they felt that a larger scale passenger airport development would be commercially challenging. I intend to bring my own proposals on all the issues raised by the Warburg Dillon Read-AIB report, including Baldonnel, to the Government in the near future.
With regard to the regions, I do not believe that there is a case for promoting the development of any further airports. The existing six regional airports together with Cork and Shannon provide sufficient airport capacity. The better approach is to concentrate on improving facilities at our existing airports. Aer Rianta has a major ongoing capital investment programme covering its three airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork, which will ensure sufficient capacity to cater for future growth at those airports. In addition a sum of £11 million has been allocated under the national development plan to assist with improving essential facilities at the regional airports.