asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state (i) the aggregate capital expenditure out of State funds on the acquisition of land and the construction of the airports at (a) Rineanna, and (b) Collinstown; (ii) what grants or contributions, if any, from State funds have been made towards the ordinary working expenses of each of these airports, and (iii) what was the aggregate net revenue of each airport to the end of the last accounting period.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Rineanna and Collinstown Airports.
(i) The aggregate capital expenditure out of State funds up to the 31st March, 1949, in acquiring land and in constructing and furnishing the airports was: Shannon Airport (including the flying boat base at Foynes) £2,135,000; Dublin Airport £980,000. In addition, expenditure amounting to £240,000 was incurred to the 31st March, 1949, in providing equipment for the radio and meteorological services at both airports.
(ii) Shannon Airport is managed by officers of my Department and expenditure is met out of the Vote for Aviation and Meteorological Services. The aggregate expenditure to the 31st March, 1949, on management and on air traffic control, meteorological and radio services was approximately £1,110,000.
The management of the Dublin Airport is entrusted to Aer Rianta, as agents on my behalf. Any loss incurred is met out of the Vote for Aviation and Meteorological Services and any profit made is surrendered to the Exchequer. The total amount paid to the company to make good net losses on the management account up to the 31st March, 1947, was £62,205. In the year to the 31st March, 1948, there was a profit on the management account of £10,788. The accounts for the year to the 31st March, 1949, are not yet available. The expenses of the management of Aer Rianta at the Dublin Airport do not include expenditure on the air traffic control, meteorological and radio services, as these services are operated by officers of my Department. The expenditure for the first few years on air traffic control, meteorological and radio services at Dublin Airport is not readily ascertainable. In the three years to the 31st March, 1948, the expenditure amounted to approximately £70,900.
(iii) There is no net revenue from Shannon and Dublin Airports. The aggregate revenue from all sources at Shannon Airport to the 31st March, 1949, was approximately £425,000, and the aggregate revenue from all sources at Dublin Airport to the same date was approximately £139,000.