The Minister for Public Enterprise, Mary O’Rourke, has confirmed she is examining the possibility of adding a second terminal to Dublin Airport.
Dublin Airport is one of the fastest growing airports in the world and the private sector is known to have an interest in increasing its capacity.
Earlier this year, the Minister rejected a proposal from Ryanair to build and operate a second terminal saying the EU Commission - or the independent aviation regulator - would not allow the Government to give the airline such special treatment.
Ryanair had said the new terminal would allow a substantial expansion of its Irish operations, which would bring millions of new visitors to the western seaboard.
The Minister reiterated her view that any new terminal would be open to all users and the construction and operation of any new terminal on State land would have to go out to tender.
The Minister said she had never ruled out expanding the airport but that she was now closer than ever to giving the project the go-ahead.