Minister concerned over Weston airport

Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea has expressed concern about proposed developments at Weston Airport, near Lucan, Co Dublin, which he feared could pose safety risks for military aircraft flying into the Air Corps base at Baldonnel.

A spokeswoman for the Minister confirmed last night that the Department of Defence had written a letter on behalf of Mr O'Dea to the Irish Aviation Authority, raising issues about the possibility of high-powered executive jets landing and, in particular, taking off from an extended runway at Weston.

The department warned that this "would compromise the safety of the flight paths currently used by the Air Corps into Baldonnel".

In its letter to the Irish Aviation Authority, which has been seen by The Irish Times, the Department of Defence said it had received correspondence from Weston airport pointing out that it had developed a new stopway/clearway on the existing runway.

The correspondence to the department stated that Weston was keen it should be able "to declare the additional pavement so that more optimised aircraft operations can take place".

Weston also sought the negotiation of a joint agreement with the military authorities in Baldonnel on air traffic movements, which could be submitted to the Irish Aviation Authority.

"As the department understands it, the proposal to make use of, inter alia, the paved stopway/clearway would in fact be an actual extension to the runway at Weston. This would constitute an unauthorised use of the facilities and would be contrary to the planning permission granted.

"Against this background, it would be entirely inappropriate for this department to enter into formal discussions with Weston with a view to agreeing procedures, which might then be seen to legitimise the use and operation of what we understand is an unauthorised development or an authorised use of a facility," the department said.

It also indicated that it would have difficulties with any new permission sought for the extended runway.

A spokesman for Weston Airport, which is owned by the businessman Jim Mansfield, was unavailable for comment yesterday.