Ivor Callely
Question:464 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Transport the Dublin Airport Authority proposals in transforming Dublin Airport; the investment required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12359/07]
View answerTuesday, 3 April 2007
Questions (434, 435)
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:490 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the position in regard to the future of Dublin Airport and the development of air transport nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13010/07]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 464 and 490 together.
The Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) intend investing €2bn in new facilities over the next decade to radically improve the passenger experience at Dublin Airport. More than €1bn will be spent between now and the end of 2009. As a result a new departures facility Pier D will open this autumn, the new passenger terminal T2 is scheduled to open in 2009 and an extension to the existing terminal will be completed by Autumn 2008.
The DAA is investing significantly to deliver a second parallel runway, as well as new aircraft parking stands and taxiways. DAA believe that these investments will allow Dublin Airport to comfortably handle up to 35 million passengers per year and will create a vibrant modern airport that will be an efficient gateway to the Ireland of the 21st century.
From the point of view of civil aviation policy generally, my view is that Dublin Airport has considerable scope to expand to cater for growth in air traffic for many years to come. Indeed the national spatial strategy has acknowledged that the expansion of the level of air services from Dublin Airport to a wider range of destinations is essential in the interests of underpinning Ireland's future international competitiveness.
The Government's objective with regard to aviation policy is to facilitate and encourage a wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive commercial air services to maximise opportunities for Irish tourism, trade and industry. My Department's strategy is to promote, where possible, new air services and, where necessary, to put in place new or modified air transport agreements.
The Deputy will be aware that EU Transport Ministers recently approved a draft Open Skies Air Transport Agreement between the EU and the US. It is now expected that the agreement will be signed at the EU US summit on 30 April 2007. The benefits for Ireland will be very significant in terms of increased tourism and economic activity. It will give the freedom to Aer Lingus and other carriers to inaugurate new services potentially to any city in the US over time.
I firmly believe that the liberalisation of aviation markets across the globe generally would also have significant benefits to Ireland. My Department has recently commenced informal discussions with the Canadian authorities with a view to renegotiating a bilateral agreement with Canada on a more liberal basis.