Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004
112 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport the analysis his Department is undertaking of the long-term strategic development of airports here; if his Department is considering the proposed development of a second main runway at Dublin Airport; and the analysis which has been undertaken on the effect of such a development on the other international airports here. [12551/04]
View answerWith regard to Aer Rianta, there are two main issues in the programme for Government vis-à-vis the autonomy issue for Shannon and Cork and the independent terminal concept at Dublin, both of which are strategically important issues for the long term development of our State airports and I have dealt with both of these matters in replies to questions earlier today.
The programme for Government also provides for the continued support of the six regional airports at Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford. A range of separate, but complementary, financial support mechanisms will continue to play an important role in facilitating the maintenance of continued safe and viable air services at each of the airports concerned.
With regard to a second runway at Dublin Airport, Aer Rianta currently has statutory responsibility to manage, operate and develop the three State airports, including Dublin Airport, and to provide such facilities and services as it considers necessary for aircraft and passengers. The board-designate for the new independent Dublin Airport Authority will take over this responsibility for Dublin Airport once the necessary amending legislation is enacted by the Oireachtas.
Aer Rianta forecasts that by the year 2020, passenger throughput at Dublin Airport will grow to approximately 30 million passengers per annum compared to almost 16 million last year. The company's long-term capacity plans to ensure that the airport has adequate infrastructure to cater for this growth includes the provision of a second parallel runway around the end of this decade.
The proposed new runway will of course be subject to planning permission being obtained from Fingal County Council. In due course I will also consider this runway proposal from the aviation policy and shareholder perspective.
