Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
556. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the analysis he has carried out of the cap of existing airport infrastructure other than in Dublin Airport to meet passenger demand; the economic and cost-benefit analysis of these options. [15352/16]
View answerThere is no cap in place in relation to the development of airport infrastructure.
The National Aviation Policy (NAP) acknowledges the importance of ensuring sufficient capacity at Irish airports, and Dublin Airport in particular, to enable connectivity and the operation of services to existing and emerging markets, to support our tourism industry, trade relationships and connections with the rest of the world. While initiatives are underway to ensure adequate capacity for existing and future demand at Dublin Airport, no capacity issues exist at Shannon or Cork airports at present.
The NAP also commits to regular reviews to ensure that all of the main airports are well placed to accommodate passenger growth and changing passenger, air-cargo and carrier needs. The NAP envisaged my Department commissioning a high-level strategic capacity review of Irish airports with the Shannon, Cork and Dublin airports being mandated to carry out their own capacity reviews at five yearly intervals. While it had been planned that the reviews would commence in 2018, my Department may review this timeline, given the higher than expected passenger growth trends.
