I propose to take Questions Nos. 12, 20, 51 and 139 to 142, inclusive, together.
I have already dealt in detail with the position in regard to the provision of additional terminal capacity at Dublin Airport in my earlier reply today to Priority Questions Nos. 2 and 4.
With regard to Aer Lingus, as one of the main customers of Dublin Airport, Aer Lingus operational requirements will have to be taken into account by whoever owns and manages the new terminal.
I am very anxious, in the interests of the airline and the Irish economy generally, to achieve clarity on the future of Aer Lingus as soon as possible. Aer Lingus must be provided with the flexibility to grow and compete on a level playing field. To fund growth and to provide financial security, Aer Lingus must have access to the full range of funding mechanisms and equity capital is a crucial element in that mix.
In that context, the Government will be making a decision shortly on the necessary arrangements to be put in place to facilitate investment in Aer Lingus.
On the matter of providing rapid rail transport services to Dublin Airport, the programme for Government contains a specific commitment to develop a metro for Dublin with a link to Dublin Airport.
The Railway Procurement Agency has submitted to my Department a detailed business case for a metro from the city centre to Dublin Airport while Iarnród Éireann submitted proposals last July for an integrated rail network in the greater Dublin area.
In the light of the announcement by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of agreement in principle to a ten year capital investment envelope for transport, work is under way in my Department on a ten year transport investment framework.
An outline of the investment framework is currently under consideration by a Cabinet committee. I will bring proposals to Government in due course once the Cabinet committee has concluded its work.