Vol. 548 No. 2
42 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the Government's policy regarding low cost airlines; the measures the Government is putting in place to enable and to encourage such airlines to operate to and from Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4761/02]
It is Government policy to encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive air services to and from Ireland. The operation of air services within Europe has been totally liberalised by the EU and EU policy and provisions do not distinguish or discriminate between traditional carriers and low cost operators.
Liberalisation of the European air transport sector has ensured that fares, routes and frequency of services operated by carriers, including Irish carriers, are entirely commercial decisions for each company. Increased competition between air carriers has resulted in cheaper air fares and more choice, which Members will agree is good news for consumers.
The Doganis report on aviation and tourism issues which was published last week suggested that airport managements must welcome low cost airlines as an essential and integral part of an airport's business. The Deputy will be aware that the Government has considered and noted the principal conclusions and recommendations of the Doganis report and agreed that Aer Rianta should be asked to proceed immediately with the provision of a rapid turn-around facility at Dublin Airport to meet the specific needs of all carriers operating at the lower fares end of the market. It is noteworthy that in addition to Ryanair, Aer Lingus and Cityjet also expressed strong support for the potential use of such a facility.
Tell the Tánaiste.
Professor Doganis also expressed broad support, in conjunction with marketing and promotional efforts abroad by the relevant authorities, for Aer Rianta's expanded incentive scheme for the development of new routes at Shannon and Cork Airports.
Does the Minister agree with the Tánaiste's statement at the weekend that there should be an independent terminal in Dublin?
I agree with the Government's acceptance of the Doganis report but regarding party leaders, we will watch Deputy Stanton's party Ard-Fheis this weekend for any promises that might be made. I agree that party leaders, at their Ard-Fheiseanna, have to state their policies.
The answer is no.
The Tánaiste is head of a separate party and she and her colleagues will be contesting the election as an independent party. They are brushing up their proposals and getting them in order.
As the Minister heads the Department of Public Enterprise, does she agree with the Tánaiste's proposal? Will it be the Minister's policy to have a separate terminal run by separate management in Dublin Airport?
Has the Deputy read the Doganis report?
I am asking what the Minister thinks.
I agree with the Doganis report. I said so very clearly on the evening it came out, when I strongly agreed with it. The professor quoted the example of Brussels Airport, which opted for a terminal operated separately from the management of the airport. He said it was a disaster and it had to be taken over by those running the airport.
The Harney disaster.
I fully agree with the Doganis report but for the record, any party leader worth his or her salt must set out their stall as they see it for their party manifesto. I have no quarrel with that at all. I look forward to all the things Deputies Noonan, Jim Mitchell and Jim Higgins will announce this weekend.
Is the Minister concerned by the fact that her partners in Government have received some donations from a private operator which they want to keep private?
That is a separate question.
How much will the extension in Dublin cost and when will it come into operation? What provision has been put in place for Cork and Shannon to develop low cost terminals?
The matter to which the Deputy first referred has nothing to do with me and as the Chair rightly said, it does not come under the scope of the question.
Regarding facilities at Cork and Shannon, the final planning permission has come through for Cork Airport, which clears the way for the investment of approximately €100 million for development work. Cork and Shannon have also been given zero landing charges for new routes for between three to five years, a remarkable incentive.
Are there any special provisions for low cost carriers landing in Cork and Shannon, such as the new terminal in Dublin?
The reason for the Dublin proposal is Dublin is the capital and is crowded. I know Cork people like to say Cork is the capital, though I do not know where that leaves us in the midlands. Dublin is the capital and therefore more people will go there than to Cork. Cork did well last year, despite the downturn in September; traffic there rose by 3% or 4%, which was remarkable in the circumstances. However, I take the Deputy's point and I will ask Aer Rianta if it plans the same type of facility.
The Deputy asked how much it would cost and when it would be operational. We estimate it will cost between £12 million and £15 million and that it should be operational for the 2003 season.
That concludes Priority Questions. We now come to Other Questions.
