Airport to get 60 more security staff

Sixty additional security screeners are in training at Dublin airport and 20 are ready to start work now, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dáil as Fine Gael claimed that the total journey time for a passenger from Dublin to Cork was now almost as long as a flight to the US.

Mr Ahern said it was "ridiculous" that many of the stands at the airport were not open last weekend when major delays were reported. But he pointed out that security screening had gone to a "very high level" last weekend and was showing up everything. "Obviously the staff are taking a very tough line."

He also informed the House that an internationally recognised consultant is to be appointed to advise on standards at other international airports.

Department of Transport officials have received an initial oral briefing from the EU inspectors who supervised last week's Dublin airport audit when knives and a fake bomb were carried undetected through security. Their final report, however, is not expected for some weeks.

A security meeting to discuss the situation will take place today, to be attended by airport security officials and gardaí as well as airline, aviation authority and government department representatives.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, who last week missed a flight to Cork because of the delays, highlighted the "frustration and anger of thousands of people who are being discommoded not because of the importance of security for every passenger but because of the inability to manage numbers effectively at the airport".

He said that "a person travelling from south Co Dublin who must use the M50 at a reasonably busy time and must be in Dublin airport at least an hour and a half before a flight to Cork takes off, is undertaking what is practically a five-hour journey, the same amount of time it would take to travel to America".

Mr Kenny added at that other airports like Brussels, Schiphol or Rome, "you never see this endless queuing. This leads me to conclude that all of this is because the Government has failed to make a decision about another terminal".

Mr Ahern rejected his comments but said decisions were imminent on the issue of a second terminal. He pointed out that "last weekend screeners went to a very high level. The checks were showing up every last thing, which was not the case last week". He said the international consultant would advise on what the standard was at other international airports.

The Taoiseach also pointed out that there were "very serious deficiencies in the system" and the Minister for Transport was determined that any deficiencies identified would be remedied.

"His department is working with the authority to ensure a consistent application of the required security standards and practices to keep a balance between good security and not excessive delays."

Mr Ahern said the Dublin Airport Authority was reviewing resources and 60 additional screeners were being trained, of whom 20 were ready to start work. "It will take about four weeks to get all 60 operational."

He assured Mr Kenny that there were sufficient machines for the screeners, and said there was liaison with the airlines because "the more stands that are opened the more staff that are on them, the earlier they open helps. That's what happened on Sunday".