asked the Minister for Communications if he has received proposals from Aer Rianta concerning the extension of the main runway at Cork airport.

No such proposals have been received.

Does the Minister agree that the shortness of the runway in Cork has resulted in a number of serious situations for Cork airport? Will he make a favourable decision on the submission when he receives it for the following reasons: the 20 seat penalty on in-flights going to southern Spain out of Cork airport results in a surcharge of £40 per person; the new instrument landing system cannot be used to its full potential; there is a higher than average diversion rate of flights into Cork and Cork and Kerry cannot compete to their full potential because of the inability of the airport to accept large planes, especially new Airbus type planes.

A nice speech.

I asked a question.

When I receive the proposal I will look at it favourably. It is in our long term plans to expand the runway at Cork airport. If and when proposals are received from Aer Rinta I will look at them positively.

Has the Minister contemplated extending the runway to cater for the Airbus plane, which is a very wide and large plane?

There are no proposals before me for an extension of the runway. If and when proposals are received I will look at them as favourably as I can.