Tourism chiefs welcome airport terminal proposal

The Irish Hotels Federation along with Tourism Ireland, Aer Lingus and Ryanair are among the first groups to issue a positive response to Transport Minister Seamus Brennan's proposal for the construction of a second terminal at Dublin Airport.

Today, the Government called for submissions for an independently run air terminal before it can decide whether or not an expansion of this magnitude is viable.

John Power from the Irish Hotels Federation said that such an expansion has the capacity to significantly increase tourist numbers coming into the country.

He said: "access is the key to Irish tourism success, access and marketing, and the more access we have and the more airlines we have into Dublin, the better for the country."

"This opens up a new possibility for competing terminals and competition attracts more business in general."

Niamh Fitzpatrick of Tourism Ireland also highlighted the importance of this step.

"Any development that will assist and motivate people to consider Ireland as a destination will serve as a positive stimulator to growth," she said.

"70% of overseas visitors to Ireland use air access to travel to the country," said Ms Fitzpatrick.