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14th October 2014 • Volume 21, Issue 37 • Leader House, North Street, Swords, Co. Dublin. • Tel: 8•400•200 • info@northcountyleader.ie
Kevin Johnson, Keith Gray, Amber Faulkner and Natalie Lewandowska enjoy posing with the Garda Mounted division at the Balbriggan Garda Station Open Day. See our picture special on page 4
DAA And Airlines At Loggerheads Over Charges The decision of the Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR), the independent body that sets maximum charges at Dublin Airport to reduce airport charges at Dublin Airport, has been given a mixed reception. Dublin Airport Authority (DAA) is disappointed with the Commission’s final determination on Dublin Airport’s charges for 2015-2019, which was published recently. This is in stark contrast to airline companies, who have given the thumbs up to the Commission’s decision. Speaking to the County Leader, Chief Executive of DAA Kevin Toland said, “DAA had planned to keep airport charges flat over the next five years. This would have the effect of stimulating passenger growth, while prudently investing in key areas to facilitate that expansion, and further improve the passenger experience at Dublin Airport.” “Instead, CAR has opted for an unsustainable 19 per cent reduction in airport charges over the next five years. CAR’s final determination is merely a minor adjustment to its flawed draft determination issued
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earlier this year.” “Charges at Dublin Airport are already 22 per cent lower than the average airport charge at our European peers, and a further 19 per cent reduction, as suggested by the regulator, is unwarranted,” said Toland. “The aviation regulator has refused to sanction more than €100 million worth of neces-
sary improvements, that would maximise the growth opportunities at Dublin Airport, upgrade the passenger experience in the older parts of the airport, and deliver the most efficient use of the airfield in a safe and secure manner,” he
concluded. This reaction was in stark contrast to that expressed by airline chiefs at Dublin Airport. Alan Sparling, Managing Director of Airline Sales & Marketing Ltd, an airline representative company based in North County Dublin, told the County Leader, “It is a balancing act to ensure an airport authority receives income to invest in upgrading its facilities, while at the same time the charges imposed by airport authorities do have an overall effect on the total ticket price a traveller pays. I believe the Commission for Aviation Regulation’s decision to reduce the airport’s charges for 2015-2019 by 19 per cent is a positive step, which should help attract an increase in passenger numbers, which in turn should generate even more investment revenue for the DAA.” In our efforts to contact Ryanair, there was nobody from the company available to speak to us. However, they put us in contact with a public relations Continued on page 12
New Regulation May Lead To Higher Rents The recent announcement by the Central Bank, which regulates the amount which banks can lend for mortgages, is claimed to have an effect on the local housing market.
By Patrick Finnegan The regulation limits banks and mortgage companies to lending a maximum of 80 per cent of the mortgage, leaving the buyer to stump up a deposit of 20 per cent. It is hoped that this will cool the overheating local property market, but will make it more difficult for “It means that people will stay at home longer, or first-time buyers to get a mortgage. The regula- they’ll postpone their decision to purchase, or continue to rent. The decision however does not tory authority said most new begin to address the fundabuyers will be restricted to The demand for mental problem, which is the borrowing three-and-a-half lack of supply of houses, but it rental accommodation times their income. This also will definitely take the heat out begs the question about this will remain higher of the market.” new stringent deposit requirefor longer, putting He continued, “There are a ment, having an adverse effect further upward number of new housing on mortgage seekers’ schemes right here in the local pressure on rents spending powers, thus area. For example, in Skerries affecting the local economy. The County Leader contacted two local estate alone, there is a new scheme starting early next agencies, in an effort to find out how this regula- year of over 100 houses. We also have a scheme tion will affect the local property market. We also of around 30 or 40 houses planned for Rush, so asked if this regulation, there is plenty of supply coming on stream. There which comes into effect in will be less people in the market, because they January, will permanently will have to save for longer, to save the 20 per take people out of home cent deposit, in order to be able to avail of a mortownership and create a gage. The fundamental problem with purchase more European style of and rental is exactly the same - supply. The only renting and apartment thing it affects is demand, which will make people rent for longer, which is likely to have an effect on living. Shay Kelly, from Kelly rents,” he concluded. Auctioneers in Skerries Steven Blanc, from said, “This decision will Sherry Fitzgerald Blanc in postpone the decision to Swords agreed that the Shay Kelly purchase for a lot of new proposals will help people, and that’s essentially what the Central to dampen the property Bank wants. There’s a real shortage of houses at market locally. He told the moment and because of this, prices are rising the County Leader, “If the quite substantially. The reality is that there should proposals are implebe a good supply of houses coming down the line mented as noted, which in the next year or two, which will start to even out is not a given, then they Continued on page 12 Steven Blanc prices,” he said.
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