Transport Tourism and Sport: Review of Government Supports for Airports 27th June 2013

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the various Government supports for each of the airports throughout the country will be reviewed collectively with a view to an endeavour to retain a reasonable quality of service throughout; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
– Bernard J. Durkan.
* For WRITTEN answer on Thursday, 27th June, 2013.
 
 
Ref No:
31401/13 Proof: 348

Answered by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Leo Varadkar

REPLY

As I indicated in my response to a similar PQ on 15 May last, my Department’s Statement of Strategy sets out the overall policy in relation to aviation, including our airports, in terms of facilitating the optimum structure to ensure a strong network of airports to support Ireland’s economic and social goals in a safe, competitive, cost effective and sustainable manner with maximum connectivity for Ireland with the rest of the world.  
Dublin, Cork and Shannon Airports are managed by the Dublin Airport Authority and the Shannon Airport Authority which operate under clear commercial mandates, are entirely funded from their own internal resources and receive no Government funding supports. 
In line with the recommendations of the Value for Money Review on the Regional Airports Programme published in 2011, funding under the Regional Airports Programme 2011-2014 is being consolidated on the four regional airports of Donegal, Knock, Kerry and Waterford since the start of 2012. 
I believe that this policy ensures the provision of the necessary transport access, with the appropriate level of quality of service, to underpin Ireland’s economic recovery.
A consultation paper on the development of a new civil aviation policy was published on my Department’s website on 1 March this year inviting submissions from stakeholders and interested parties by 30 June 2013.  In response to requests from a number of stakeholders, the deadline for receipt of submissions has been extended to Friday, 12 July 2013.  Following consideration of submissions, a draft National Aviation Policy Statement will be issued in the second half of 2013, with a view to a final policy document being published in 2014.  I would encourage all stakeholders, including the airports, to take this opportunity to give their views so that they can form an important input into this process.