Fine Gael TD for Dublin Fingal Alan Farrell said that the new national aviation policy, due to be published next year, will impact economic growth in the area and should be of great interest to the people in Dublin Fingal.
“It is in the interest of Dublin Fingal that the National Aviation Policy 2014 protects and creates jobs in the aviation sector. Dublin Airport is the largest employer in the region. Crucially, for every one job created in the airport, four are created in the region as a direct result.
“I am of the view that is in the best interest of the constituency that the strategy adopted to develop the new national policy in 2014 will involve full engagement with interested parties, bringing in expertise from all areas of the industry, on how to achieve maximum growth and job creation, ultimately benefitting our community.
“I raised this issue with Fine Gael Minister for Transport, Leo Varadkar T.D. in the Dáil this week. This Minister is currently looking for submissions from industry experts and has published an ‘Issues Paper’, in conjunction with the IAA and key stakeholders, outlining strategic areas where growth can occur and submissions are invited on these particular topics.
“Our tourism industry has been in recovery in the past two years. Overall there has been a 2% rise in tourism, and I very much welcome figures released this week showing an increase in visitors from North America and Australia in the first quarter of 2013.
“Ireland is the premier global location for aircraft leasing, managing over half of the world’s fleet, and is starting once again to attract international business in MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) which has received significant incentives for expansion from government in Budget 2013, including the continued policy of low corporation tax.
“This sector must be carefully guarded and I look forward to the opportunity that developing a new strategy for Dublin Airport can bring in terms of growth and development to benefit Dublin Fingal.”
ENDS