State Airports.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 May 2004

Tuesday, 4 May 2004

Questions (111)

Trevor Sargent

Question:

133 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Transport if he has investigated the experience of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority whose executives have expressed the view that the privatised terminals in State-owned airports were a disaster from a strategic point of view; when he intends to make a decision on the proposed introduction of a new terminal at Dublin Airport; and the person who will decide on the ownership and management structures for such a new terminal. [12552/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The report of last year by the panel of experts chaired by Mr. Paddy Mullarkey which assessed the "expressions of interest" in relation to the independent terminal concept at Dublin Airport referred to examples, particularly in North America, of independent terminals operating at major international airports.

I am aware that a project involving private sector development of terminal facilities at Toronto Pearson Airport encountered difficulties in the 1990s and it will be important to ensure that the circumstances which gave rise to those difficulties are avoided in any similar project at Dublin Airport. The report of the expert panel concluded that an independent terminal at Dublin Airport would be operationally and technically feasible and that such a terminal is a viable strategic option for the airport.

I am continuing to give urgent attention to the independent terminal concept and I will bring proposals in the matter to the Government in due course.