The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today called on the Government to immediately proceed with the process of having a second terminal developed at Dublin Airport. It maintains there is no excuse for the Government to hold up the decision to provide, what is an absolutely essential addition to the country's national access infrastructure. A second terminal will ease current capacity constrictions and will create much needed competition, which will further encourage the opening up of new air routes into the country. Thirteen groups have lodged submissions with the Department of Transport to design and build the facility and should now be invited to tender for the development without delay, the Federation states.

The IHF has long since suggested that the key to the success of Irish tourism is through increasing access to our island destination, combined with competition in the market to ensure low cost access. The existing terminal at Dublin Airport is already operating to full capacity and hinders tourism growth.

"Competition is needed at Dublin Airport. The expert group, which advised the Minister for Transport on the proposed development recommended its construction and private enterprise appears to be willing to fund it. As there is no outlay to the exchequer, there can be no logical excuse for why there is a delay on a decision for the terminal's development to go ahead," Mr Jim Murphy, President, IHF says.

Mr Murphy praised the proactive role of Seamus Brennan T.D., in his first year in office citing his approach as being a breath of fresh air for an Irish Minister for Transport. The IHF is now calling on his cabinet colleagues to support Mr Brennan's position and put into action the proposal to build a second and competing air terminal at Dublin Airport.

"The de-regulation and encouragement of competition among airlines has been one of the principal drivers in the growth of Irish tourism over the last ten years. Competition brings efficiencies. The days are long past of protecting state monopolies, particularly where private enterprise is willing to compete. Standing in the way of the development of a second terminal at Dublin Airport, particularly where private investors have indicated their willingness to fund such development, is standing in the way of economic development of Ireland and further contributing to the erosion of our competitiveness," Mr Murphy continued.

The IHF believes that the Government should immediately decide to go to tender on this development. "Notwithstanding the complexities or the development of the competing terminal, we are confident that a dynamic private entrepreneur could bring on stream the terminal in a much shorter period then the five years indicated in the expert group report to the Minister, " Mr Murphy states.

The airport is the first place that tourists see when they arrive in this country and delays at baggage collection coupled with congestion and limited public transport system, to and from the airport is not giving a good impression.

"We cannot wait any longer for this much needed additional terminal in Dublin and the procrastination and bureaucracy which is delaying the commencing this development should be immediately ended," he concludes.

FOR INFORMATION:

Siobhan Molloy/Niamh Boylan Tel: (01) 676 0168 / 086-817 5066
Weber Shandwick FCC