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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 28 Mar 2000

Vol. 516 No. 6

Written Answers. - Baldonnel Aerodrome.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

129 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Defence the progress, if any, made to have Baldonnel Aerodrome converted for use as both a civilian and military airport. [8839/00]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

157 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has for the future use and development of Baldonnel Aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8805/00]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 129 and 157 together.

A number of approaches have been made in recent times by private concerns regarding the possible commercial use of facilities at Baldonnel Aerodrome. My main concern in examining these proposals would be to protect the military aviation interests at the aerodrome. The question of extending usage of these facilities for hire or reward requires careful consideration as it may have implications regarding licensing of the facility for such use. However, the greater utilis ation of this underused resource could have benefits for both military and civil aviation in Ireland.
The use of Baldonnel for civil aviation purposes is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Public Enterprise in consultation with myself in the context of overall airports policy generally. In that regard the recent report to the Minister for Public Enterprise and the Minister for Finance on the future of Aer Rianta did consider the possibility of a second airport in the Dublin area and this was considered in the context of Baldonnel Aerodrome.
This report was carried out by Warburg Dillon Read/AIB on Aer Rianta's future strategic direction and which assessed the merits of a second airport in Dublin particularly in the context of the possible development by commercial interests of Baldonnel Aerodrome.
Their recommendations will help in assessing the position of Baldonnel against that wider policy backdrop. Following consideration of the report it is intended that the Minister for Public Enterprise and myself will report to Government with specific recommendations in regard to the future of Baldonnel. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on what these recommendations will be.
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