Runway "in early planning stages"?
Que? What the hell are they playing at? The runway should be well past the planning stage by now! This is appalling (although not necessarily surprising); someone needs a pitchfork in the rear. The sooner they bring in the likes of SATS (the crowd who run Changi) or someone similarly competent and take over mgmt of DUB the better. The schedule is slipping and the more it slips, the longer we're stuck with a runway that's 1500' too short.
Anyway, the following PQs were tabled last Wednesday, which should throw some light on the current situation. (Sorry about the double spacing in the response; it's just the way it copied.)
Dáil Question
No: 124, 150
*To ask the Minister for Transport the progress to date in 2006 in the
development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport; if this project can be
operational by 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Damien English. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3337/06 Lottery: 16
*To ask the Minister for Transport if his attention has been drawn to the
cost to develop pier D at Dublin Airport; if the authority has sought an
increase over that which has been sanctioned for this project; his views on
the need for this increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Gerard Murphy. (Nominated by: Olivia Mitchell).
For ORAL answer on Wednesday, 1st February, 2006.
Ref No: 3336/06 Lottery: 43
Answered by the Minister for Transport
(Martin Cullen TD)
REPLY
I propose to take questions 124 and 150 together.
Under the Dublin Airport Authority’s (DAA) medium term plan for new infrastructural provision at Dublin Airport published last Autumn, a new
Terminal and associated pier facilities (Pier E) will be provided to the
South of the existing terminal. These facilities are due to come on stream
in 2009. The plan also provided for other capacity enhancements including
the provision of temporary pier facilities in 2006 and a permanent new
pier, Pier D, to be in place by late 2007. These new pier facilities will
deliver significant additional aircraft contact stands for fast turnaround
operations.
In relation to Terminal 2, I understand that the DAA has progressed with
the procurement of the Project Management and Design Teams for the project
and that the Authority will shortly announce the outcome of the bidding
process. Work will commence immediately on the planning application and in
this regard, preliminary consultation with Fingal County Council has already taken place. The DAA is working to the Government decision to have
the terminal operational by 2009.
The specification and cost of Terminal 2 will be independently verified by experts on behalf of the Government. Also, at the appropriate time, an independent body will manage an open tender competition to select an operator for the new terminal.
The cost of developing Pier D at Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the DAA. The final tender costs won’t be fully known until the Authority is in a position to place the procurement contract. I understand that the Authority is currently actively engaged in the procurement process for Pier D and expect that the process will be completed and a contract awarded within a matter of weeks. It is the intention of the DAA, that the new facility will be operational by late 2007.