A second terminal for Dublin Airport was discussed at a high-level meeting today attended by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, Transport Minister Martin Cullen and senior trade union representatives.
A second terminal for the overcrowded airport was promised in the Fianna Fáil election manifesto in 2002. However, three years on and there has been no decision on its location, size, or who will build and run it.
There have been 13 expressions of interest in constructing the terminal. The key airport union, SIPTU, says its first choice would be for the Dublin Airport Authority to build and run it. Failing that, SIPTU is exploring a possible joint venture with aviation entrepreneurs the McEvaddys.
The future ownership structure of Aer Lingus was also raised at today’s meeting.
Government sources could not confirm when the issues of the airport terminal and Aer Lingus will be brought to Cabinet, saying they were still in a consultation process.
However, a number of other sources said there was a growing likelihood that the issue of the terminal would be brought to the next Cabinet meeting on Tuesday week.
