Written Answers. - Air Services.
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
239
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Transport
the extent to which airport development is co-ordinated or planned to ensure smooth and effective transport in and out of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18583/02]
Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:
240
Mr. Durkan
asked the
Minister for Transport
the extent to which air services are available throughout the country, with particular reference to airports or ancillary facilities, such as customs and other services; the extent to which cargo and passenger needs are or can be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[18584/02]
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.
It is Government policy to encourage as wide a range as possible of reliable, regular and competitive air services to and from Ireland. Efficient and competitive networks of air links are vitally important for developing our trade and tourism sectors, particularly having regard to our island status and peripheral location.
A wide range of international destinations are served from the three State airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork with Dublin serving the greatest number of routes. Internally, our public service obligation, regime provides regular air links between Dublin and the regional airports in Kerry, Galway, Sligo, Knock, Donegal and Derry. Shannon-Dublin and Cork-Dublin are also served on a commercial basis. The regional airports in Kerry, Waterford and at Knock also have direct air services to London and Aer Arann recently commenced a direct service from Galway Airport to London.
Regarding the State airports at Dublin, Shannon and Cork, the policy is to focus on the planning and funding of adequate and cost effective airport infrastructure in line with the projected traffic demands. Each of these airports is a major driver of economic growth and development for their respective catchment areas and indeed for the entire country.
At Dublin Airport, Aer Rianta is well advanced with a comprehensive master planning exercise which will enable the company to plan the development of the airport systematically over the medium to long term for both passenger and cargo handling. In the short term, and subject to planning permission, a new temporary pier to facilitate the rapid turnaround of aircraft will be provided by Aer Rianta in May 2003. The company also has plans to provide a new, permanent, two-story pier at Dublin Airport in due course but 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 which I am currently pursuing. On this latter issue, my Department advertised in August of this year for expressions of interest from parties who would be interested in the concept of providing an independent or competing terminal at Dublin Airport. The responses are due to be submitted at the end of this month and I intend to have the submissions professionally assessed and to make recommendations to the Government before the end of the year.
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. This compares with an expected throughput of about 2.3 million passengers at Shannon for this year.
Major new investment is now required at Cork Airport to cater for the growth in traffic in recent years and Aer Rianta is well advanced with its plans for a capital investment programme estimated to cost €130 million which will include a new terminal building and a multi-storey car park. This work will take about two years to complete and Aer Rianta's aim is to have the new terminal operational in time for Cork's year as European City of Culture in 2005.
The six regional airports also play an important role in the promotion of balanced regional economic development and the generous support mechanisms for these airports, and for regional air access through the PSO regime, are fully in keeping with the commitments under this Government's new programme.
Under the airports measure of the NDP, the first major round of funding was announced earlier this year. A total of €9.2 million, covering the period 2002 and 2003, was approved for projects at the six regional airports which are designed to facilitate improvement works and upgrades to facilities and maintain continued safe and viable operations at these airports. In addition to the NDP allocation, €1.9 million was allocated earlier this year in Exchequer grants to the six regional airports for marketing, safety and security measures.
My Department also administers the operation of the public service obligation air routes in accordance with EU Council Regulation 2408/92. There are six PSO routes linking Dublin with the regional airports in Donegal, Derry, Kerry, Knock, Galway and Sligo.
The award of new three-year contracts for the operation of five of these PSO routes to Aer Arann Express and EuroCeltic Airways Ltd. was announced in July this year. Aer Arann was awarded the new contracts for the Kerry, Galway and Knock PSO routes while EuroCeltic was awarded the contracts for the Donegal and Sligo routes. The Derry-Dublin PSO route is currently operated by Loganair, a Scottish carrier, under a contract that runs until January 2004.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the operation of customs services at airports is a matter for the Revenue Commissioners.
Question No. 241 answered with Question No. 82.
Question No. 242 answered with Question No. 80.
