Thursday 29th September 2005

IHF CALLS ON GOVT TO SHOW LEADERSHIP ON AIRPORT EXPANSION

The Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) is today calling on the Government to act now to ensure that the exciting plans brought forward by the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) to provide additional capacity at Dublin Airport are delivered as proposed. As expressed last week, the IHF congratulated the DAA on the speedy manner it brought forward its master plan for the airport, following the Government decision on the airport's expansion. The IHF states it is now the Government's responsibility to ensure that any difficulties, which might be created by today's decision of the Airport Regulator on the request for additional airport charges will not delay the delivery of the new Terminal by 2009 and Pier D by 2007. There is an urgent need for the Minister for Transport and his Government colleagues to ensure that this essential development at Dublin Airport will commence with out any further delay.

"For over a decade, we have known of the need for additional capacity at Dublin Airport. Unfortunately it has taken that long to come up with an appropriate plan to deal with the challenge. It would be disastrous if we were to now revert to a period of inaction and we see it as the Government's responsibility that this is not allowed to occur," says John Power, Chief Executive, IHF. "We acknowledge the Aviation Regulator's role and we would suggest that he must be vigilant that no excessive capital spend or operation inefficiencies are provided for in the application of the DAA. There is a very tight schedule to ensure the implementation of this project on time, and the current situation can't be allowed to create any uncertainty around the actual delivery of this vital element of national infrastructure."

"It is nationally imperative that this plan is kept firmly on track. The DAA has suggested that there is no other option for funding the development than what it has proposed. This now places enormous emphasis on the Government to intercede now and assist on finding workable solutions," Mr Power says.

The IHF stresses that the building of this infrastructure is essential both for the benefit of Irish people who use the airport regularly and indeed for the wider tourism and business travel sector. It is an essential access point for Irish tourism.

ENDS

For information:
Siobhan Molloy/Niamh Boylan Tel: 01 6760168
Weber Shandwick FCC Mobiles: 086 8175066 / 086 3809191