Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 6 Nov 2002

Vol. 556 No. 4

Written Answers. - Air Services.

Seymour Crawford

Question:

64 Mr. Crawford asked the Minister for Defence if there is interest from the private sector regarding development of Baldonnel Airport as a commercial airport; if the matter is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20458/02]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Casement Aerodrome in Baldonnel is the principal base of the Air Corps. With the withdrawal of aircraft from Gormanston and the relocation of Air Corps headquarters to Baldonnel as outlined in the White Paper on Defence, the Air Corps has the basis for better management of its resources. Baldonnel will continue to be the centre of military aviation.

During the last ten years or so, periodic interest has been expressed by the private sector in relation to the use of Casement Aerodrome for civil aviation purposes. Under the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, however, aerodromes under the Minister's authority are precluded from regulation by the Irish Aviation Authority. Only the regulation of military aviation activities at military aerodromes comes within his or her remit. The establishment of facilities for civil aviation purposes is primarily a matter for the Minister for Transport.

The Deputy may be aware that the position of Baldonnel was considered in the 1999 report of Warburg Dillon Read, AIB Capital Markets and SH&E which assessed the merits of a second airport in Dublin on behalf of the then Department of Public Enterprise. The consultants saw no reason to hinder commercial development at the aerodrome subject to appropriate planning approvals. The Government concurs with this approach. The Minister is of the view that certain civil aviation operations at Casement Aerodrome could be accommodated without detriment to the military use of the aerodrome. This, however, cannot be facilitated without an amendment to the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. The needs of the Air Corps will continue to be of primary importance. Casement Aerodrome would have to be brought within the licensing and regulatory control of the Irish Aviation Authority before consideration could be given to commercial aviation at Baldonnel. This would require an amendment to section 3 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993. This is a matter for consideration in the first instance by the Minister for Transport.

Question No. 65 answered with Question No. 56.