Without wishing to deny the importance of security, I think one key problem is that the DAA has a major problem with long term planning. If you look at the site for the new terminal, not only does it eat into space occupied by an only recently completed pier expansion, but even that space is constricted; there's Corballis House on one side (listed?), there's the cargo terminal and then at the far end of the pier, there's the runway. Now, it occurs to me that only one side of the pier could be used for WB jets, unless they move the cargo terminal ... but where to?
We heard, only a few weeks ago, that the building itself has to be increased in size because of growth plans by EI and FR, BUT ... that's hardly news. A new passenger terminal should be planned with around 10-15 years growth; to have to review plans after less than a year is surely unacceptable. Even if they do increase the size of the terminal, there is still room for only one pier; now how many WB aircraft can be parked at that pier - 4, max? And possibly only on one side. And how long is that going to last, at the growth rates currently being achieved. It's hardly news to anyone that EI wants to grow its long haul operation; the airline has long talked of about 14 long haul aircraft, so what's the point of introducing a terminal with space for only four long haul aircraft? (And then there's other airlines' aircraft). And this terminal is supposed to accommodate growth until when?
This, added to the runway length issue and the failure to provide cargo facilities, must surely point to a serious crisis, yet the govt has been content to simply sign over responsibility for the airport to the DAA, without any oversight or interference.
This simply cannot go on. Lessons are not being learned. As an island nation, Ireland needs a very aggressive, pro-active and growth orientated aviation policy, but the whole handling of this shows that the interest simply isn't there at govt level.