asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total cost to date of the acquisition and development of Dublin Airport.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin and Shannon Airports.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total cost to date of the acquisition and development of Shannon Airport.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 2 and 3 together.
The total capital expenditure on the acquisition of lands, construction of runways, erection of buildings, and the provision of equipment, etc. at Shannon Airport, including Foynes, amounted to £2,797,525 at the 31st March, 1956, the latest date for which figures are available. The corresponding figure for Dublin Airport at 31st March, 1956, is £1,622,479. These figures include expenditure both by my Department and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the nature of the work proposed to be carried out at Shannon Airport, as recently announced, its total estimated cost, and when it is expected that the work will be completed.
As stated in the public announcement which I made on the 27th April, the Government has decided to equip Shannon Airport to receive the larger jet-engined aircraft which will begin to operate in the year 1959 on the transatlantic air routes. It is proposed to provide a runway of greater strength and length than now exists at the airport, with the necessary taxiways and extensions of the apron. The total estimated cost of the works is £1,000,000, and it is expected that they will be completed by 1959.