Ceist:
60 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence if a decision has been taken to use Baldonnel Airport for private civil aviation. [17455/00]
Written Answers. - Baldonnel Airport.
The future utilisation of Casement Aerodrome, 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 airport 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 considered 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. It would not be appropriate for me to speculate on what these recommendations will be.
I am to add that 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.