Additional Terminal Capacity at Dublin Airport is Urgently Needed

Additional Terminal Capacity at Dublin Airport is
Urgently Needed 
Politics.ie, Ireland

Wednesday, March 03, 2004  
 
 
The Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Transport,
Eoin Ryan TD has called on the Minister for Transport
to proceed as a matter of urgency with plans for a
second terminal at Dublin Airport.

"It's a year since the publication of the Mullarkey
Report which accepted the need for a second terminal
at Dublin Airport and concluded that an independent
terminal was a viable option. But the report also
warned that it would take up to five years from the
time when the go-ahead is given to the delivery of the
new terminal," said Deputy Ryan.

Last year, 16 million passengers went through Dublin
Airport. That figure could grow by another 4 million
over the next five years. The current capacity can
only provide acceptable comfort and service levels to
a maximum of 20 million passengers per annum.

However the Mullarkey Report points out, the current
supply of aircraft parking stands and runway capacity
are unlikely to be sufficient to meet the needs of 20
million passengers per annum. The report concludes,
"the runway capacity, especially at peak periods, has
become constrained and will limit future growth."

Deputy Ryan said: "Anybody who uses Dublin Airport
regularly knows that it is already badly congested at
key times. In five years, it will be chaotic. To avoid
that situation we must decide, without delay, to build
a new terminal." Deputy Ryan pointed out that extra
capacity at the airport was crucial for our economic
development. "It's a cliché but it's worth repeating:
ease of access by air is a central factor in
attracting foreign investment. If Dublin Airport
becomes any more congested, it could drive away
further investment from this country."

The Minister for Transport, Seamus Brennan TD has said
he will consider the matter of a second terminal after
he has implemented the Government decision to break
Aer Rianta into three separate Airport Authorities.

"I accept that this important government decision must
be given the utmost priority," said Deputy Ryan.
"While the Minister has said there are significant
legal and technical issues involved, he hopes to have
the legislation to give effect to this decision
enacted before the summer."

However, Deputy Ryan said there was no room for
slippage. "The start of the peak holiday period is
almost upon us and Dublin Airport is becoming more and
more congested. I would ask the Minister to look at
the issue of additional terminal capacity in parallel
with the implementation of his plans for the airport
company," said the Transport Committee chairman.

Deputy Ryan said everybody accepted the need for
additional terminal capacity including Aer Rianta
which has been warning of the urgency of the matter
since the late 1990's. "The issue is who should build
it. That will take some time to decide and that's why
it's so important that the Minister move on this issue
as a matter of urgency. Dublin Airport can't wait,"
warned Deputy Ryan.

The Mullarkey Report said the development of an
Independent terminal was an extensive process, which
it predicted would take up to five years. The Report
added: "The estimated duration of four to five years
from a decision to develop tender documents for an
Independent terminal until a new facility becomes
operational would depend on no significant delays
being experienced at any of the key stages."

The report also said that a number of legislative
changes would be required to allow the development of
an Independent terminal at Dublin Airport. 
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