Vol. 521 No. 4
99 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Defence the action he will take in relation to the development of Baldonnel military airport as a civil airport; if his attention has been drawn to the serious safety and other concerns of communities in relation to the proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17365/00]
100 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the plans of the Government, in connection with the redevelopment of Baldonnel airport, to allow a civil or commercial operation at the aerodrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17433/00]
103 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, which exist for the civilianisation of Baldonnel Aerodrome; the changes, if any, being contemplated in its current status; the research that has been or is currently being carried out in respect of the future use of Baldonnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17622/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 100 and 103 together.
The future utilisation of Baldonnel for civil aviation purposes is a matter for consideration by the Minister for Public Enterprise in consultation with me 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 which was carried out by Warburg Dillon Read/AIB on Aer Rianta's future strategic direction 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 and which will include all aspects relating to safety and the concerns of local communities. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on what these recommendations will be.
Proposals to amend section 3 of the Irish Aviation Act, 1993 to enable the IAA to regulate the safety aspects of civil aviation operations at military aerodromes are included in the Aviation Regulation Bill which is before the Oireachtas at present.
