Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2017
38. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his preferred strategy and approach in facilitating the construction of a third terminal at Dublin Airport in view of ongoing concerns regarding capacity and congestion at the airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42153/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy will be aware, daa holds statutory responsibility for the management, operation and development of Dublin Airport, including the provision of adequate capacity to meet current and future demand.
Passenger traffic at Dublin Airport in 2016 increased to almost 28 million, making it the 2nd fastest growing airport in the EU in 2016, growing at three times the EU average. As this growth trend is expected to continue, albeit at a slower pace, capacity concerns at Dublin Airport in the short, medium and longer term are being managed and addressed in a number of ways.
A Capacity Enhancement Programme is underway at present at the Airport which includes additional parking stands, a new five-gate pre-boarding facility, the refurbishment of Terminal 1 Departures area and the development of a transfer facility to Terminal 2. A major overlay of the main runway is also well underway and is expected to be completed in Q2 2018.
Work commenced on the North Runway project in late 2016 and substantial works have taken place to prepare the site and to realign and build new roads in the vicinity of Forrest Little and St. Margaret’s Bypass. The procurement process for the main construction works is now underway. It is expected that the North Runway will be operational early in the next decade.
The daa is also currently preparing a new Dublin Airport Masterplan which will establish a comprehensive planning framework to guide medium and longer term development of the airport campus. I understand that the Masterplan will be completed by the end of 2017. Preparations for daa’s next Capital Investment Programme from 2020 to 2024 will be informed by the completed Masterplan.
To ensure that Dublin Airport is prepared for the longer term, a Review of the Capacity Needs of Ireland's State Airports is now underway. The review will examine the capacity requirements to meet forecasted passenger throughput at the three airports to 2050 and identify priorities for infrastructure provision. In the case of Dublin Airport only, the study is expected to recommend the time frame for the development of new terminal capacity – Terminal 3 – and its appropriate design and optimum location as well as an assessment of the relative advantages and disadvantages of the funding and operation of Terminal 3 by the existing airport operator in comparison to being operated on an independent basis.
I expect the review to be completed in early 2018 at which stage the longer-term future infrastructure needs of our three State Airports will be clearer.
