Give Dublin Airport a second runway or economy will suffer
A SECOND runway at Dublin Airport is vital for the economy, Shane Ross said yesterday as he vowed to have legislation for its construction passed by Christmas.
The Transport Minister said he was also ‘personally in favour of considering’ a third terminal – whether it is to be operated privately or by the Dublin Airport Authority.
He acknowledged that the concerns and rights of people living near the airport about noise and disruption had to be taken into account, but these rights had to be balanced against the common good.
Echoing the views of Dublin Airport Authority chief executive Philip Dalton, he said the runway was an economic imperative.
‘This has got to happen,’ he said after concerns were raised that there could be delays to the development of the airport, which is now suffering from serious passenger and freight congestion.
Mr Ross’s comments came after Mr Dalton said it would be an ‘economic catastrophe’ if a second runway did not arrive within three years.
Mr Dalton said: ‘We’re one of the most connected countries in the world but we’re an island state. Nearly 90% of traffic into this country comes by air. The airport has grown by 50% in recent years. At the moment, at key points of the day, that airport is full. So that means that we have to open up new infrastructure, and that means the north runway which we’re planning to start building by the end of this year. If we can’t get that runway up and running by 2021, it is economic catastrophe for this country, because it is our one way in and out.’
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said yesterday: ‘It’s about ensuring we have international connectivity, through supporting all our international airports and ports.’ Speaking at a Project 2040 launch for transport, the Taoiseach said: ‘So far this year, we have spent 18% more on investing in public infrastructure compared to this time last year. Next year alone there will be a 25% increase – that’s €1.5billion extra.’
The plan will see investment of €4.8billion in ports and airports, together with €8.6billion in public transport. There will also be €7.6billion pumped into national roads network and €4.5billion into regional and local and rural roads. In addition, cycling facilities will be upgraded.
This comes as Mr Ross said he was annoyed at cases of vehicles stopping or parking in bicycle lanes. Legislation was under consideration ‘but we’re a bit worried about its enforceability’, he said yesterday.
The Taoiseach said: ‘Politics is often about right now, solving the problems of today. But leadership in politics must also be about what happens next... creating the world of tomorrow.
‘Dublin Port provides a perfect example about how it is possible to link a city to the world through the right investment and forward planning.
‘In the past, all roads led to
‘And I’d like to see a third one too’
Dublin. That’s no longer the case. They will now link with each other, for example the Atlantic Economic Corridor which will connect cities and towns on the west coast.
‘Secondly, it’s about making our cities work better and making them more people-friendly and more liveable so we are investing in public transport, pedestrian and cycling paths.
‘It’s also about ensuring we are more friendly to the environment, and that means investing in things like low energy cars, and banning new petrol and diesel cars from 2030.’