The Government is to invite proposals to build a second independent terminal at Dublin airport, the Minister for Transport has said.
In a statement, Mr Seamus Brennan said advertisements would be placed in national and international media next week inviting expressions of interest in developing the project.
"Dublin is now one of the fastest growing airports in the world," Mr Brennan said.
"This is why it is such an exciting and innovative time for the airport and why decision relating to its future facilities need to be accelerated to ensure that it is in a position to meet the challenge presented by the ongoing rapid growth and expansion."
Mr Brennan said the invitation to interested parties would allow the Department to assess the interest in the project and allow the progression to the formal public tendering process.
