Willie Penrose
Ceist:26 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if section 46 of the Aviation Regulation Bill, 2000, refers to Gormanstown, County Dublin, only. [27687/00]
Other Questions. - Aviation Regulation Bill.
Section 46 of the Aviation Regulation Bill, 2000, seeks to amend the Irish Aviation Authority Act, 1993, in order to facilitate the authority in carrying out its regulatory functions where civil aviation activities might take place at military aerodromes.
The provision is an enabling one and before any such activities could take place the Minister for Public Enterprise must obtain the consent of the Minister for Defence and must set out in regulations the specific activities being undertaken and regulated. During the recent debate on Second Stage of the Aviation Regulation Bill, 2000, many Deputies raised concerns about this provision. I regret that I was unable to be present for the end of the debate. The Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, who is most competent, took that element of the debate for me.
The Minister did not give him a very competent brief to read. It was an insulting five minute speech which did not refer to any of the contributions made.
The Deputy will have an opportunity to ask a question.
I am tendering an apology and perhaps the Deputy would be gracious enough to accept it.
It is not sufficient.
As the Deputy is aware, I was involved with CIE on that particular day.
The Minister's officials should have prepared a proper script for the Minister of State to read, but they did not do so.
Will the Deputy allow me to finish making my apology? He is very rude.
I ask the Minister to address her remarks to the Chair.
I apologise; I keep forgetting to do that.
Inexperience.
Following the concerns expressed, I will reflect on section 46 prior to Committee Stage of the Bill which I understand will be taken in the middle of January.
The Minister indicated during that period of debate that section 46 referred only to Gormanstown and did not refer to Baldonnel. That is the point of the question. She is not confirming that one way or the other now. Is the Minister aware of meetings that took place in October and November of this year between Deputy Smith, the Minister for Defence, and Deputy Harney, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, at which the residents in the area who are opposing the Bill were given undertakings that there was no possibility of Baldonnel being used for other than military use?
Is she aware that the Minister, Deputy Harney, is reversing her previous position on this matter, where she was a strong advocate of the civilian use of Baldonnel? She said at that meeting that there would be no such use and the Minister for Defence said the same. Is the Minister aware of that meeting?
Yes, I was aware of that meeting. Both Ministers told me prior to a Cabinet meeting that they were to have such a meeting. The Minister, Deputy Harney, is entitled to say anything she wishes at a meeting. I told both Ministers that I would reflect on section 46 prior to Committee Stage, which is the answer I gave in the Dáil.
The Deputy asked me about Gormanstown. My information was that this related only to Gormanstown. I also met with that group – its members were in the gallery of the House one day – prior to the meeting with the Tánaiste and the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith. I gave them the answer I am giving the Deputy – that I will reflect on it.
I thank the Minister for her apology. However, since she has used the word "reflection" today and on previous occasions, will she reflect on how badly her Minister of State was briefed on the previous occasion?
Does she agree that during a previous Question Time she said she would reflect on whether to drop section 46, which deals with Baldonnel, or ensure it referred only to Gormanstown? Is she in a position to give us an indication of her reflection on that?
Is the Minister aware that not only did the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, meet the Baldonnel group, he also wrote to it and said that in the immediate future he would not be in favour of civil aircraft at Baldonnel? Does she agree with that?
The Deputy asked me three questions. I thank him for accepting my apology. I said on Question Time that day that I would reflect on whether it would be done by deleting the section or by clarifying that it referred to Gormanstown. I had hoped that Committee Stage would be taken prior to Christmas. It does not appear now that that will happen, so I will have further time for reflection. I have not made up my mind.
I knew the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, and the Tánaiste would meet the residents. They asked me my position and I sent them the extract from the Official Report of that Question Time. I did not know there had been a follow-up letter.
At the meeting with the residents to which the Minister referred, the Ministers told the residents that expert and up-to-date studies indicated that Baldonnel was not viable as a civilian airport and that Dublin Airport could take the whole load as it was developed. I am sure the Minister is aware of that. Could we have a copy of the expert and up-to-date studies that indicated that?
Is the Deputy talking about the meeting with the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith?
I was referring to the Minister herself, the Tánaiste and the Minister for Defence.
I did not give any expert advice or report to anybody. However, I will pass on the Deputy's query to the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith.
I call Question No. 27.
If the Minister, Deputy Michael Smith, has already said "no", is there any need for reflection?
Please allow the Minister answer Question No. 27.