Vol. 241 No. 10
asked the Minister for Transport and Power why a new building only recently completed at Dublin Airport is now being demolished; if the permission of his Department was sought before demolition work commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
220.
asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether certain buildings recently erected at Dublin Airport are now being demolished; and, if so, why.
With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 219 and 220 together.
No doubt the Deputies are referring to demolition work on part of Pier No. 2 and the end of the link building. Pier No. 2 was completed in 1962 and the link building in 1967. They formed part of a long-term development plan for Dublin Airport which also provided for a new terminal building.
Following the announcement in 1966 about Boeing 747 aircraft capable of carrying up to 500 passengers and the placing early in 1967 by Aer Lingus of an order for two of these aircraft, it became necessary to undertake a complete re-appraisal of the long-term development plan.
It emerged after detailed examination of the problems involved with the assistance of expert consultants that a much larger terminal than that originally envisaged was necessary. This building had to be centred on Pier No. 2 to avoid congestion on the apron and land sides of the building. Plans for incorporating existing buildings were considered and it was found that the only other practicable scheme would merely result in the postponement of the demolition work now being carried out and would result ultimately in additional cost of about £270,000.
The portions of the buildings now being demolished, that is less than half of Pier No. 2 and a small portion of the link building, cost approximately £100,000.
The Deputy will appreciate that the rapid pace of technological development in aviation often involves premature obsolesence of aircraft, equipment and buildings. The Boeing 747 is an extreme example of this and is creating problems for airports throughout the world. It has recently been announced for instance that the new terminal building at Schipol completed only two years ago must be modified to handle this aircraft.
The contract for the new terminal building is being managed by Aer Rianta but the approval of my Department was obtained for all stages of the project.
Could the Minister state when the building in question was erected and what it cost?
The Deputy would want to be very cautious about this because a similar sort of situation will arise at Shannon.
Surely the Minister will agree that the demolition of this building, which has given rise to a lot of public reaction and a lot of public talk, is indicative of bad forward planning——
Has the Deputy a question to ask?
——and foresight on the part of Aer Rianta and, in view of the fact that public money is involved, more careful attention should be paid to forward planning in future in order to prevent a recurrence of this?
Is the Deputy for or against Shannon?
That is not the question.
Is the Minister aware that photographers from our national newspapers were prevented from taking photographs of this building? Was it because Aer Rianta felt they had something to hide from the public? Why were those photographers not afforded the facilities to take those photographs and let the public judge for themselves?
Everybody who is willing and able can take photographs and we have given total facilities in this respect.
Does the Minister realise that photographers from our national newspapers were prevented from taking photographs?
By whom?
By the authorities at Dublin Airport.
They are very welcome. I will bring them on a conducted tour myself.
You can ask the photographers of our national newspapers.
There is no problem.
Why was the extension added in 1967 when they knew in 1966 that the jumbo jets would be coming? In his reply the Minister mentioned that they knew about it in 1966 —in actual fact I think the Deputies in this House were brought on a tour there—but they still put the addition on to this wing, or whatever you call it. In other words they put the extension on when they knew these jets would be coming in. That is what the Minister said in his statement.
The whole point in regard to this whole aviation business is that all the pessimists have been optimists.
The position is that we were brought on a tour in 1966. Deputies of this House were told about the jumbo jets and we were lobbied to support the money been given to Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta but they still added on an extension to this building costing over £100,000 which is obsolete. I do not know if it was ever used.
I do not want to rake up old political scores. The fact of the matter is the former Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, started Aerlínte and Aer Rianta and also started Shannon Airport. Fianna Fáil backed it all the way and in 1948 we found it scrapped at Shannon. If anybody wants to stand up and be counted in regard to airport development and airline development in this country we can stand up and be counted.
Will the Minister come clean and admit that a mistake has been made in this matter?
I did.
Ask first and think afterwards.
It is a mere detail in the vast complex situation which is involved.
A lot of business could be obtained with the money wasted.
It is a wonder he did not say anything about the rabbits at Shannon.
