Vol. 414 No. 1
2 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (1) the number of private aircraft which landed in Baldonnel Aerodrome over the past three years and (2) the names of the owners; and if he foresees an increase in its use by the private sector.
31 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he has received any request or submission regarding the possible development of Baldonnel as a joint civilian/military airport; if he will outline his response to any such request; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38 Mr. Taylor asked the Minister for Defence if there are any proposals to develop the use of Baldonnel Airport for civilian purposes and permit commuter aircraft of any civilian airline to use it for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
129 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the criteria for the use of Baldonnel Aerodrome, by aircraft, other than military or Government aircraft.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 31, 38 and 129 together.
I have not received any specific request or submission for the possible development of Casement Aerodrome for civil traffic and there are no proposals to develop the aerodrome for this purpose.
As the aerodrome is fully utilised by the Air Corps for training and operational requirements, it is not available for regular use by aircraft other than those operated by the Air Corps. The aerodrome would, of course, be available to facilitate emergency landings.
From time to time, aircraft conveying foreign dignitaries and other important persons are permitted to land at Casement Aerodrome. For security reasons, it is not the practice to disclose details of such landings. I do not anticipate any increase in the frequency of such landings.
I wish the Minister well in his new portfolio and congratulate him and welcome him to his first Question Time in the House. Could the Minister be more specific on this question? The Minister referred to important persons other than foreign dignatories arriving in Baldonnel. What are the criteria or classification laid down in the Department for other important persons?
Over the last three years there has been a number of landings of foreign service aircraft carrying visiting ministers, members of royal families on private visits, visiting VIPs and military personnel. Permission has also been granted to civilian aircraft to divert to Casement Aerodrome from time to time.
Will the Minister elaborate on the civilian aircraft which have landed at Baldonnel from time to time? Were these visitors nationals or non-nationals or members of the Irish business community? What conditions are laid down in relation to those landings and how do they comply with insurance conditions and indemnity?
I do not have the details of foreign visitors or of the members of various royal families.
I am not interested in that.
Casement Aerodrome is used only in exceptional circumstances — foreign service aircraft carrying visiting ministers, visiting VIPs and members of various royal families. I do not have the details of the names or from where the people come or anything like that.
A final brief supplementary?
It must be a very brief question. We are in priority time and the Chair continually advises the House of the situation.
Is there any truth in the reports that a number of Smurfit aircraft and Goodman——
I would prefer if the Deputy would not mention names. Please let us proceed without mentioning persons outside the House who do not have a defence against accusations, innuendos or reflections made upon them.
I am asking the Minister if it is true that aircraft belonging to senior personnel in Irish companies have landed there and if he is in a position to identify the nature of the emergency requiring such landings.
That information is not available to me.
