Ceist:
6 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to develop the Baldonnel Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15081/97]
Other Questions. - Baldonnel Aerodrome.
Austin Deasy
Ceist:9 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether there is a case for utilising Baldonnel Aerodrome in a dual capacity for both Air Corps and private airlines. [15181/97]
Ceist:
13 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to develop the Baldonnel Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15079/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 6, 9 and 13 together.
The development of Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, as a joint military/commercial airport was carefully considered by the previous Government last year and it was decided that a second commercial airport for the Dublin area would not be in the interests of the aviation sector and the economy generally. As opportunity permits, resources are made available for the development of the aerodrome as the main military air base in the State.
Mr. Hayes
I am aware of the study carried out by the previous Government into this matter. Will the Minister agree that Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, which is a great asset of the Defence Forces and Air Corps, is under-utilised? There is considerable disquiet in the Air Corps about the Minister's failure to adopt a more progressive approach to this matter. Will he consider the development of the aerodrome for commercial purposes at some stage in the future? It has been suggested that the airport is perfectly placed to act as a hub for executive jets. It is very difficult to travel to and from Dublin Airport because of traffic congestion and Baldonnel Airport is perfectly placed to act as a hub for executive jets. This suggestion has support among a number of people in the Defence Forces and Air Corps. The Minister needs to be more imaginative and responsive to the views within the Air Corps on this issue.
This has come as a shock to me and I am not sure how to respond. I am speechless at the suggestion that a cadre in the Air Corps has been throwing darts at an effigy of me because I have not been progressive or forward enough in the context of a problem which has been raised at Question Time three months after my elevation to office.
I do not want in any way to belittle the Deputy's points but I want to place this matter in context. The previous Government considered that a second airport for Dublin would lead to a duplication of infrastructure and facilities and that airlines could well be reluctant to transfer to a secondary location because of an inability to offer an integrated service and the absence of the hubbing opportunities available at Dublin Airport. To the extent that Baldonnel Airport would attract airlines, this is likely to be at the expense of Dublin Airport rather than lead to net growth in air traffic to the Dublin region. The costs of adapting Baldonnel Airport would be high and difficult to justify as Dublin Airport has the capacity to accommodate present and projected air traffic levels, while the opening of the northern cross route has provided improved access to Dublin Airport for people living in south County Dublin.
On the question of executive jets, I am not sure if the Deputy is talking about commercial or private aircraft usage. I understand that privately owned executive aircraft use Baldonnel on an ad hoc basis on the payment of a fee and the production of the necessary insurance indemnity. The question of extending usage of these facilities for hire or reward has been carefully considered as it may have implications regarding licences. Between eight and ten private aircraft use the facility each year. It is not possible to determine the number of private aircraft which may use Baldonnel in the future. Some business companies in the area have expressed an interest in using the airport and if they want to do so there will be no bar in that regard.
I share the previous Government's view that it would not be technically possible to use the airport for commercial and military purposes. To suggest that a group of officers at the aerodrome are chewing the cud and condemning me for not being progressive leaves me reeling.
I would not dream of criticising the Minister for not being progressive and certainly would not attempt to lecture him as I know him too well.
Will the Minister agree that this is a very suitable location for a commercial airport? It is adjacent to the Naas dual carriageway and the new motorway and would be ideal to serve the south and midlands. Its use for commercial purposes has been advocated by Dr. Tony Ryan, the founder of Ryanair, the primary independent airline. It should be possible to get commercial airlines to finance the necessary additional infrastructure, for example, a major terminal, and the extension of the runways. Will the Minister examine the commercial viability of this proposal and consult with private airline directors, chairmen and boards?
I am grateful to the Deputy for his intervention and take his suggestion very seriously. I do not know Mr. Ryan but I have seen his operation and have great respect for the much needed competition it provided in the airline industry. I wish him and his airline continued success.
I will examine the Deputy's suggestion. However, I do not have the competence to decide whether there should be a commercial airport there. As the hurler on the ditch on this matter I ask if we should not continue to develop Dublin Airport in a passenger friendly fashion. The problem with Dublin Airport, although it has been brought under control to some degree in the recent past, is that one tends to get lost in it. It was becoming like Heathrow Airport where one must walk for miles from point of arrival to point of departure. People using Heathrow Airport may be on holiday, but after the walk through it they need a holiday and some form of resuscitation. I would not like Dublin Airport to become like that. I will examine the suggestion and report to the Deputy on its commercial viability. The Deputy's proposal would not find favour in the context of the need to continue to improve and expand Dublin Airport and, more particularly, the road infrastructure which is fast developing in this city and county. As Minister for Defence, I would not propose to have the military and the commercial sectors admixed because I am not certain it would improve the position.
It would not be unprecedented. Brussels airport is a prime example.
I know parts of Brussels Airport are set aside for military use. I take the Deputy's point and I will have the matter examined rather than speculate on the successful outcome of the proposition. I thank the Deputy for raising it.
Mr. Hayes
I do not wish to surprise or ruffle the Minister, but has he discussed this matter with the Air Corps?
No, I have not. It shocks and stresses me that I have not been consulted. I have the greatest respect and regard for the Air Corps and I know they would not take me by surprise.