'terminal without passengers'
Transport Minister Shane Ross wants a third terminal at Dublin Airport – despite previously slamming 'white elephant' Terminal 2 idea
A report on the future of the country's State airports was brought to the Cabinet by Minister Ross and it suggests a third terminal in Dublin could be in place by 2031
Craig Farrell
25 Oct 2018, 7:30
Updated: 25 Oct 2018, 7:57
SHANE Ross wants a third terminal at Dublin Airport despite previously saying the second would be "the most underused terminal in Europe".
He also said it would "be a terminal without passengers".
Transport Minister Shane RossCredit: Sportsfile - Subscription
On Tuesday, a report on the future of the country's State airports was brought to the Cabinet by the Transport Minister. It suggests a third terminal in Dublin could be in place by 2031.
It also predicted more than 50 million passengers will pass through Dublin Airport a year in the future.
But Mr Ross — who brought the report to Cabinet — previously slammed the idea of a second terminal.
In an opinion piece on his own website in 2010, the 69-year-old Dublin Rathdown TD ripped the Dublin Airport Authority, writing it "has built the T2 white elephant, destined to be the most underused terminal in Europe.
Minister Ross previously labelled Terminal 2 a 'white elephant'Credit: Getty - Contributor
"It has cost hundreds of millions at a time when the State hasn't a bean."
He added: "Without Aer Lingus, the DAA was facing a terminal without airplanes. Now it will only be a terminal without passengers."
On Monday, Mr Ross said: "We're expecting an explosion of passengers in Dublin Airport, maybe doubling in 2050, to over 50 million.
"It's never premature to make long term plans for airports."
But he previously mocked the DAA for long term thinking, writing: "Spinners at the DAA are suddenly bleating pathetically that T2 is a '90-year project'!"