Baldonnel aerodrome could become Dublin's second civilian airport, with the private sector and the air corps sharing the development of the facility, the Minister for Defence, Mr Smith, has said. In the run-up to a Cabinet discussion of a consultant's report on this and other air industry issues, Mr Smith said there was considerable business interest in Baldonnel.
He also indicated that, if the aerodrome is to be developed for civilian use, the new facility should be open for use by the community at large, rather than just by corporations or others with private jets.
Speaking at Baldonnel to Today FM reporter Ms Colette Fitzpatrick, the minister hinted that he was in favour of allowing the military aerodrome be used by the public.
"There is no reason, I think, why the civilian airport idea and the military base cannot be developed in harmony," he said.
Mr Smith added that such a project would probably be funded by business rather than the Exchequer. "The indications that we have had so far from private interests are very significant," he added.
But Government sources were quick to stress last night that no decision had been made on the issue. A consultant's report focusing on the future of Aer Rianta, but also encompassing the possibility of using Baldonnel, is due before the Cabinet within the next fortnight.
In his speech to the South Dublin Chamber of Commerce, Mr Smith also underlined that the Cabinet would not make its choice until after the report was discussed. But he added that he was "fully committed to ensuring that the most effective use possible be made of this facility, consistent with its primary use as a military installation".
The Government has several options in how it could respond to the soaring numbers of passengers at Dublin Airport. Proposals under discussions include allowing Baldonnel to be used as a private airport for the corporate sector, but Mr Smith appeared yesterday to rule this out.
"If we are talking about a civilian airport, we are talking about an airport where everybody can avail of the services," he said.
Mr Smith's views will be welcomed by those developing businesses in the area, such as Citywest business park and the Football Association of Ireland's Eircom Park project. As a military aerodrome, strict rules are enforced preventing tall buildings for several kilometres around the site. A consultant's report received last August by the Department of Defence suggests these would have to be relaxed if the airport were to be shared with the commercial sector.
But the remarks will not please Ryanair, whose chief executive, Mr Michael O'Leary, who said recently the company had "no interest" in Baldonnel.
