10-year plan to include new integrated transport links to Dublin Airport
We have completed stage one and welcome progress has been made. Momentum must and will be maintained to deliver the required infrastructure at Dublin Airport, Minister for Transport, Martin Cullen TD said today (20th September 2005) on developments at Dublin Airport.
Minister Cullen also announced that he will shortly bring proposals to Cabinet regarding the verification process for Terminal Two and that new integrated transport links on road, rail and bus for Dublin Airport will be included as part of the Governments 10-year transport plan.
Minister Cullen commended the DAA on the speed of progress made to date. Dublin Airport needs to be equipped to serve more passengers quickly and efficiently. Todays announcement is an important step in the delivery of new terminal capacity which will meet the needs of passengers and airlines in the most cost-efficient way. We are well on track for the opening of new pier capacity by 2007 and a new terminal by 2009. Our growth plan for Irish aviation is progressing with obvious benefits for passengers, businesses and the wider economy.
In order to ensure maximum efficiency and cost effectiveness in the provision of the second terminal, the Governments aviation action plan includes a triple safeguard involving consultation, verification and regulation.
Minister Cullen said: The first phase, consultation with the airlines, is now completed. The second step, verification, must now be taken. It is important to maintain momentum and to ensure this, I will shortly submit proposals to the Government regarding the appointment of independent aviation and financial experts to verify the specification and cost of the new terminal facilities.
In the context of his proposals for a 10-year investment plan for transport infrastructure, the Minister for Transport is finalising proposals which will include new transport links on road, rail and bus for Dublin Airport which integrate the airport into the Dublin public transport network.
The Minister said: It is important that we work in tandem to ensure our transport network can cater for additional capacity at Dublin Airport. Not only should Dublin Airport be able to handle a massive increase in passenger numbers, I want to ensure that those passengers can choose to use a high quality, modern and fully integrated public transport system to get there.
New infrastructure at Dublin Airport must be aligned with the type of public transport and road network that an international airport needs. The Governments 10-year transport plan will outline our intentions, concluded Minister Cullen.
ENDS
Further info:
Dan Pender 01 6041090 / 087 2313415
Veronica Scanlan 01 6041087 / 087 6430622
