Denis Naughten
Ceist:1285 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future of Aer Rianta and the development of the airports under the control of Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16702/02]
Written Answers. - Airport Services.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1294 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport if he favours private sector participation in Aer Rianta; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16711/02]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 1285 and 1294 together.
As provided in the programme for Government, we will seek to secure a viable long-term future for our State companies without any ideological preconceptions. The issue of the most appropriate form of ownership or structure for State companies will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.
In the case of Aer Rianta, the programme for Government sets out two initiatives regarding the State airports, which are relevant to the structure of the company going forward. These are the commitments to ensure that Shannon and Cork airports have greater autonomy and independence and to examine proposals for a new independent terminal at Dublin Airport and to progress them if the evidence suggests that such a terminal will deliver significant benefits.
In the case of Shannon and Cork airports, I have already made it clear publicly that the issue of greater autonomy is being considered solely in the context of continued State ownership of those airports.
The concept of an independent terminal at Dublin Airport has been mooted by a number of interests in recent years and I believe that the most practical way forward at this point is to explore the pros and cons involved and to test the viability of the concept by canvassing the market. To that end my Department has already made a widely publicised call for expressions of interest from interested parties. This call for expressions of interest provides an opportunity for proponents of the concept of a second, independent terminal at Dublin Airport to outline what precisely they have in mind, how it would work in practice, and possible approaches to addressing the regulatory implications, for example for the transparent pricing of airfield facilities. We have asked for these ideas and proposals to be submitted by the end of this month – 31 October – and I intend to assess the responses and make recommendations to the Government before the end of the year. I am dealing with this issue also on the basis of continued State ownership of Dublin Airport.
The programme for Government commits to ensuring the provision of a new, low cost pier at Dublin Airport without delay. This new facility will assist air carriers by providing extra capacity on the apron at Dublin Airport to facilitate the rapid turnaround of aircraft on the ground and improve the efficiency of both airport and carriers' operations.
The board of Aer Rianta recently approved proposals for a new two-storey pier at Dublin Airport to provide rapid turnaround facilities for low cost airlines. This would be a new, permanent addition to the infrastructural facilities at Dublin Airport. A planning application has been lodged with Fingal County Council and it is estimated that the new facility would be in place in about two years. I have indicated to Aer Rianta that no contractual or other irrevocable commitments should be made in relation to this permanent facility, pending the outcome of the independent terminal issue referred to above.
At my request, Aer Rianta is proceeding apace with plans to provide a temporary rapid turnaround facility for aircraft in time for next year's peak tourism season. A planning application in respect of this temporary pier will be lodged this week with Fingal County Council by Aer Rianta with a view to having this facility in place and operational at the beginning of May 2003.
Significant investment has been made by Aer Rianta at Shannon Airport in recent years in developing facilities for passengers and cargo. With the completion of the terminal extension two years ago, Shannon now has capacity to handle up to 4.5 million passengers per annum.
It is recognised by Aer Rianta that Cork Airport needs significant investment to cater for the growth in traffic through the airport in recent years and the company is well advanced with its plans for a major new capital investment programme in infrastructure and facilities. The main feature of this programme, estimated to cost €130 million, is a 25,000 sq. m. terminal building. Planning permission for this project was secured earlier this year and Aer Rianta is currently evaluating tenders for the works. The company expects that the work will take two years to complete and the aim would be to have the new terminal ready for Cork's year as European City of Culture in 2005. I have made it clear that this project will proceed, whatever the outcome of my current examination of options for greater autonomy for Cork Airport.
Question No. 1286 answered with Question No. 1246.
Denis Naughten
Ceist:1287 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Transport his plans for the future viability of Shannon Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16704/02]
Significant investment has been made in developing Shannon Airport and passenger facilities at the airport in recent years. With the completion of the terminal upgrading at Shannon Airport in 2000, the airport now has sufficient terminal capacity to cater for up to 4.5 million passengers per annum. Passenger throughput this year is estimated at this stage to be in the region of 2.3 million. Shannon Airport is now well positioned to cater for future growth in air services.
The programme for Government includes a commitment that as part of the process of transforming Aer Rianta, we will ensure that Shannon and Cork Airports have greater autonomy and independence.
A debate has now been stimulated by me both within the Shannon and Cork regions and at national level on the best ownership structure for these two airports going forward in the context of continued State ownership. Indeed I visited both Shannon and Cork recently to further stimulate this debate.
There is a genuine sense of goodwill towards the airports in the two regions on the part of local tourism and business interests and views may differ on the best way forward. However, I will listen carefully to the views of all interested parties before framing proposals to bring to Government.
Question No. 1288 answered with Question No. 1260.