Sir, - Recent claims in the media that the majority of respondents to a Lansdowne research survey, commissioned by Ryanair, would support the controversial proposal to convert the Baldonnel military airfield to a commercial civil airport are; faulted. The key question in the Lansdowne survey was: "This new development at Baldonnel is, being funded by private investors (ie with no costs to the taxpayer). In the light of this, what do you think of the idea of a civil airport at Baldonnel?"
The claim that the development would be at no cost to the taxpayer is much in error. ,Ryanair has stated, at a number of its public presentations, that its contribution to the development would be limited to the extension of the main runway. It also indicated that it would establish a separate company with private sector investment to build a "no frills" terminal building.
It was established, from questions during these meetings, that the taxpayer would have to foot the bill for the major roadworks required to gain access to the new terminal from the Rathcoole or Lucan side of the airfield. No provision has been made in the 1993 County Development Plan to service the change of use of Baldonnel with extensive road network and other services which would be required.
Significant costs would also be involved in compensation claims arising from land acquisition, noise insulation claims, road closure or diversion and upgrading of navigation and all weather landing aids. The latter would, be of particular importance in view of the close proximity of the Dublin Mountains.
Incidentally, the question of providing the most up to date navigation facilities for the Air Corps operation at Baldonnel should not be tied to the development of a civil operation. The important and courageous work undertaken by our airmen in rescue, fishery protection and support for the civil authority entitles them to the best facilities available in their own right.
The real costs could be more usefully expended in providing real, long term jobs in our area, rather than the ridiculous promise of 10,000 jobs. We have high levels of unemployment in the surrounding districts, but this should not be equated with low levels of intelligence. People can balance the realistic prospect of jobs against the adverse affects on the quality of life. - Yours, etc.,
Corner Park,
Newcastle,
Co Dublin.