Train the firemen and keep runways open

DUBLIN airport was threatened recently with runway closure for the third time in nine months because just ten fire personnel were refusing to provide cover there.

The manager of Dublin airport, Mr Bob Hilliard, gave as an excuse for the planned runway closure that neither Dublin fire brigade nor army personnel were "sufficiently trained" to provide emergency fire cover.

Aer Rianta must now train sufficient Dublin fire brigade and/or army personnel to provide the necessary fire cover in order to prevent any future closures at the airport.

Ryanair calls on the Department of Transport to ensure this happens so that the country won't be held to ransom yet again.

It is unacceptable that the board of Aer Rianta and the Department of Transport continually fail to keep open the runways at Dublin airport an essential national service simply because they have no effective contingency plan in place.

Paul Fitzsimmons

Head of Communications

Ryanair

Dublin Airport.