Vol. 552 No. 1
109 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if consideration was given by her Department to extending the existing runway built in 1989 at Dublin Airport to 10,000 feet in length; and if she will supply information relating to discussions in her Department regarding such a consideration. [11497/02]
Proposals in relation to the development of the three State airports, including Dublin Airport, are in the first instance a matter for Aer Rianta, which has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the airports and to provide such facilities and services as it considers necessary for aircraft and passengers.
Aer Rianta informs me that any proposal to extend the length of the main runway at Dublin Airport to 10,000 feet would only arise where a requirement, or demand, to serve additional long-haul destinations non-stop from Dublin is identified or where it became apparent to Aer Rianta that the existing length of the main runway was acting as a constraint on the possibility of new long haul services. According to the company, such a situation does not exist at this time but the position will be kept under review.
