asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if he has agreed to the proposed building of new concrete runways for use by jet planes at Baldonnel and if he has satisfied himself that such an airfield would not be of greater value from the point of view of civil and military aviation if built in County Cork.
Ceisteanna—Questions Oral Answers. - Baldonnel Runways.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if it is proposed that the contemplated new runways at Baldonnel should be capable of being used by heavy jet bomber planes as well as jet fighter planes.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if before the approval of plans for the building of runways for military jet planes at Baldonnel the Dáil will be given an opportunity of discussing the project and of considering the location of the proposed base for jet planes.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 36, 37 and 38 together.
The decision to provide concrete runways and to use Baldonnel Aerodrome for this purpose was taken only after prolonged and meticulous examination of every aspect of the matter by the military authorities. I am satisfied from the facts placed before me that Baldonnel is the most suitable site.
It is not proposed that these runways should be capable of being used by heavy jet bomber planes.
The project represents a normal and essential development, and the necessity for the Dáil discussing it does not, therefore, arise.
I doubt the assurances that have been given that prolonged thought has been given to this, or that there has been taken into consideration the advisability of placing these runways for jet planes in the South of Ireland, particularly in the vicinity of Cork City. In the opinion of many people it would be a more suitable site than the proposed extension at Baldonnel, taking into considerationthe fact that runways are already available at Collinstown.
The Deputy is now making a speech.
I have stated in the reply that "the decision to provide concrete runways and to use Baldonnel Aerodrome for this purpose was taken only after prolonged and meticulous examination of every aspect of the matter by the military authorities."
As to the propriety of a State decision to equip the Irish air-force with jet planes, is that an ordinary routine matter that is improper for consideration?
That was not stated and it is misrepresentation of the Parliamentary Secretary's reply. I resent that.
Do not get cross.
I know what the Deputy is trying to get at.
The Minister is not Minister for Defence.
I am a member of this House, and I am speaking here as a member of the House.
Keep quiet.
I shall read the concluding part of the reply again: "The project represents a normal and essential development, and the necessity for the Dáil discussing it does not, therefore, arise."
Arising out of the addendum to the reply, may I ask may not this be a matter which the Dáil might with perfect propriety feel that it had a right to consider?
That is the reply that has been given to the question.
Arising out of the reply, does the Parliamentary Secretary adhere to the view that the matter is one which Parliament should not consider it necessary to discuss?
That is the reply that has been given.
May I ask, apart from the military and other aspects of the situation that have been referred to, whether the financial aspects, that have already been mentioned, would not be a suitable matter for discussion before any active steps were taken?
Why not put down a motion?
Or raise it on the Defence Estimate.
It came forward after the Defence Estimate was over.