Confidential files released as part of the State Archive outlined how Aer Rianta was increasingly concerned at the impact of having to move honour guards on to the apron for arriving dignitaries.
Aer Rianta contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs to alert the government that it had been criticised over the visit of the president of Germany the previous year as the welcoming ceremony had delayed other passengers from getting off flights into the terminal building.
It noted that all activity on the tarmac at Dublin Airport comes to a halt for the duration of such ceremonies which usually last about 15 minutes.
Senior Aer Rianta executive Don Treacy expressed concern that the arrival of such VIP guests in the summer would occur when Dubin Airport was at its busiest and asked if it was possible that they could be invited to arrive at a time other than mid-morning.
Mr Treacy said there had been other complaints and he wanted to improve the situation before it became too difficult
Mr Treacy said there had been other complaints and he wanted to improve the situation before it became too difficult.
Aer Rianta also highlighted that other arrangements for welcoming VIPs would have to be made for a period over the following 18-30 months as work was due to commence on a relocation of the VIP suite in Dublin Airport due to the construction of a new pier building that was scheduled to begin later in 1993.
Chief of protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs Brendan Moran told Mr Treacy that mid-morning was the usual time when visiting heads of state arrived at Dublin Airport.
He explained that there was a set pattern of events for the first day of a state visit
He explained that there was a set pattern of events for the first day of a state visit including lunch at Arás an Uachtaráin and a wreath-laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance.
However, Mr Moran said it might be possible, subject to the president’s agreement, to move welcoming ceremonies to Arás an Uachtaráin instead of the airport if it was proving too disruptive for Aer Rianta.
Mr Moran said the only other alternatives would be either the courtyard of Government Buildings or outside their entrance on Merrion Street.
A Defence Forces officer, Commandant Hugo Bonar, advised the Government that he did not believe there would be sufficient room for a military ceremony in the courtyard.
Mr Treacy agreed to the suggestion that other sites within the airport could be examined such as near the old terminal building or the cargo handling area.
In a letter to the Department of the Taoiseach on March 25, 1993, Comdt Bonar said he would have no difficulty with a move to another part of Dublin Airport subject to space, surface and safety conditions being satisfied.