Vol. 520 No. 4
17 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation if any policy position in relation to the development of Eircom Park has been communicated by him or his Department to South Dublin County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15899/00]
Neither I nor my Department has communicated any policy position to South Dublin County Council in relation to the proposed development of Eircom Park.
Has the Department a policy position on Eircom Park or is it developing one? Is it intended to communicate that policy to South Dublin County Council and, if so, what is the proposed time scale?
The answer to all the questions is "no". Planning is a matter for South Dublin County Council. The FAI has applied to South Dublin County Council for planning permission in the normal way.
As regards the position of the Minister's colleagues, particularly the Minister for Defence, will any policy position impinge on the planning permission for Eircom Park or its future development?
It is well known that the Department of Defence has objected on the basis of the Snow report. There are two reports. The Snow report is responsible for the future development of Baldonnel Airport and the Department of Defence has commissioned an internal Air Corps report. Through the Air Corps, the Department of Defence also commissioned a report. Both reports would have an impact on the Eircom Park proposal.
Will the Minister publish the reports?
The Department of Defence and the FAI are meeting today to discuss those proposals.
Will the Minister publish them?
Yes, those reports will be published.
When?
As soon as possible.
Bearing in mind that the FAI submitted all the additional information requested by South Dublin County Council two weeks ago, which means that a decision should be reached on the proposal in six weeks time, can the Minister guarantee that the Department of Defence will clearly state its position on Eircom Park? An objection has been lodged but it has not been clarified and the indications are that it will not be clarified until the autumn. Can the Minister guarantee that the Department of Defence will clarify its position and communicate it to South Dublin County Council within the time allowed?
The Department of Defence and the FAI are meeting today to discuss those matters and I am sure further progress will be made at that meeting. The Department of Defence has some objections, mostly from the Air Corps, and has relayed the objections to the FAI. They concern the future development of Baldonnel Airport and Casement Aerodrome. Those matters will be discussed but the Government has not brought forward any impediments other than very relevant Department of Defence concerns about the matter.
It is difficult to accept the Minister's last statement. The Department of Defence has lodged an objection and that objection has not yet been clarified. Is the Department of Defence entering today's discussions to assist in the processing of the planning application and to be as positive as possible about the construction of Eircom Park?
While using a report which was suppressed.
The Department of Defence is making every effort, in conjunction with the FAI, to bring forward its proposals and to overcome the objections it has to the proposal. Most of these questions, however, would be better asked of the Minister for Defence.
He will not answer such questions. He will not even respond to requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
