asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport when the new major runway at Dublin airport will be completed; and if he will outline the changed directions for landing and take off routes over Dublin.

Work on Dublin Airport runway project is proceeding satisfactorily and is on schedule. It is expected that the runway project will be completed by early summer 1989. The orientation of the present main runway at Dublin Airport is in a North-East/South-West direction. The orientation of the new runway will be approximately in an East-West direction. The flight paths associated with the new runway will traverse lowly populated areas to the east and west of the airport thereby ensuring that aircraft operations cause the minimum of disturbance to local communities.