Airport Development Projects.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2004

Tuesday, 29 June 2004

Questions (343, 344, 345, 346, 347)

Pat Breen

Question:

342 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if, further to Question No. 326 of 25 May 2004, his attention has been drawn to the fact that this threshold is shown both on sheet No. 8 of the Fingal County development plan of 1999 and on the maps forming part of the recently released draft Fingal development plan 2005-11 as being some 250 metres west of the Kingston Cross Road; his views on whether a major discrepancy thus exists between the Aer Rianta and the revised ERM maps on the one hand, and the Fingal maps on the other; if he will clarify the precise magnitude of a discrepancy which can only be described as astounding and inexplicable that has left residents in large areas of north County Dublin utterly perplexed and bewildered with respect to whether their lands or portions thereof are within the existing red zones or the proposed public safety zones associated with proposed runway 10-28; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19171/04]

Written answers

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

Notices of the preparation of the draft Fingal County development plan 2005-11 have recently appeared in the press, as part of Fingal County Council's public consultation on that draft development plan. Comments or observations on the draft plan are invited until 23 August 2004. It should be noted that in its introduction to the maps section of the draft development plan, Fingal County Council states that, "The maps give a graphic representation of the proposals of the Plan, indicating land use zoning and other control standards together with various objectives of the Council. They do not purport to be accurate survey maps from which site dimensions or other survey data can be determined". Moreover, the final site of the proposed runway 10-28 is a matter for Aer Rianta and the planning authorities.

Pat Breen

Question:

343 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport further to Question No. 454 of 15 June 2004, the number of landowners in County Clare, other than the landowner from whom the site was acquired, affected by SI 205 of 1993; if these unsuspecting landowners will be informed of such fact and, arising from his reluctance to provide them with a copy map, each will be supplied with the relevant website details in order that they can download copies of the map in question; the reason his Department failed to honour the solemn commitment given by Mr. Cosgrave to Mr. Hawkins on 8 March 1950, particularly given that the amendment in question which was not put to a vote, was put down by the latter with particular reference to such potential landowners in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19172/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The Irish Aviation Authority does not have any information about the number of landowners who own land in the vicinity of the site in County Clare affected by SI 205 of 1993. However, the authority states that the owner of the land directly affected by that SI did receive a copy of the order, including the map. As I indicated in my previous reply, all of the three orders — SIs 284 of 1988, 114 of 1989 and 205 of 1993, including their maps, are available free of charge on the Attorney General's website, under the link to the Irish Statute Book. The website addresses for each of those orders are: For SI 284 of 1988 —http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI284Y1988.html; for SI 114 of 1989 — http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI114Y1989.html; for SI 205 of 1993 — http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/ZZSI205Y1993.html.

Pat Breen

Question:

344 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if, further to Questions Nos. 111 to 116 of 27 February 2002, the protected area concept contained in section 14 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1950 was specifically enacted by the Houses of the Oireachtas for the very same purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19173/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

As I have indicated in earlier replies, Section 14 of the Air Navigation and Transport Act 1950 empowers the Minister for Transport or the Irish Aviation Authority to make an order to declare that a particular piece of land in the vicinity of an aerodrome was to be a protected area, if the unrestricted use of that land would interfere with the navigation of aircraft. To date, section 14 orders have been made on only three occasions, in 1988, 1989, and 1993, in each case dealing with circular protected areas of 300 metres radius from the IAA's DVOR-DME equipment at Rowlestown West, County Dublin; Kilgarriff West, Charlestown, County Mayo and Knockaun, Shannon, County Clare.

The High Court, in a judicial review case between Mr. Sean Liddy and the then Minister for Public Enterprise, the Irish Aviation Authority, Aer Rianta Teoranta, Ireland and the Attorney General, ruled in February 2003 that the use of either section 14 orders or the planning process is permissible for restricting development in the vicinity of airports.

Pat Breen

Question:

345 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for Transport if, further to Question No. 453 of 15 June 2004, any of the numerous private but significantly smaller developments at each of the three State airports had the potential to breach any ICAO associated surface; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19174/04]

Minister for Transport (Mr. Brennan)

The question of objections to private developments at the State airports to which the Deputy refers, is a matter between Aer Rianta, the Irish Aviation Authority, and the relevant planning authorities.

Cecilia Keaveney

Question:

346 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport the discussions he has had recently with his counterparts to resolve outstanding issues surrounding extension of the runway at Derry City Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19371/04]

Minister of State at the Department of Transport (Dr. McDaid)

My Department is considering two separate proposals concerning the runway, and other infrastructural developments, at City of Derry Airport. The first proposal is for a runway safety improvement project originally approved in 1999. In the context of the programme for peace and reconciliation in 1999, the Department paid €1.9 million towards safety-related improvements to the runway. The Northern Ireland authorities made a similar contribution to the project. However, the project suffered from cost increases arising from environmental objections and various technical problems. Derry City Council, the owner of the airport, is now seeking further assistance from both administrations to meet the additional, unforeseen costs associated with the project. The Department is discussing this issue with counterparts in the Department for Regional Development in Northern Ireland.

The other proposal is for a major runway extension and the provision of enhanced airport infrastructure and navigational aids. The entire project, if approved, could cost in the region of €30 million. Derry City Council has requested a joint funding arrangement between the two administrations, as applied in the case of the earlier project. Officials from my Department are participating in a steering group, comprising officials from relevant departments and agencies in Northern Ireland and representatives from the local chamber of commerce. The steering group, which was established at the request of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, will examine all aspects of the proposed development of the airport, including, the technical need for the proposed runway extension, the current and projected financial position of the airport company, the business case supporting the proposed capital investment and the wider issue of balanced economic development for the entire north west region. The steering group has met three times in recent weeks and a report on findings and conclusions is expected to be finalised by the end of July 2004.