WORK will begin on Monday on a new 147 bedroom hotel at Dublin Airport. The £8 million investment by the Great Southern Hotel group is expected to be completed in February 1998. The three star hotel will include 12 meeting rooms, a large bar and dining facilities. It will also have parking for up to 300 cars.

Announcing the new hotel development yesterday, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications, Mr Lowry, said it would complement Aer Rianta's core airport business. Mr Lowry announced a £97 million investment programme at the airport earlier this year, which will provide new passenger facilities and an extension to the terminal building. Last year official figures show that more than 8 million people passed through Dublin Airport, an increase of 15 per cent on the previous year.