The Tánaiste Joan Burton says she is confident we will soon have "positive news" on a new transport link to Dublin Airport.

Speaking earlier, Ms Burton said that the airport is an essential part of the infrastructure of the city.

"For many years, we have been talking about a direct public transport link to the airport and I'm confident that we will have positive news on this issue when my colleague, Brendan Howlin, announces the Capital Spending Plan in a few weeks’ time", Ms Burton said.

"Dublin Airport is an essential part of the city’s infrastructure", she added.

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce say a rail link to the airport is needed not only to serve tourists, but also the growing population in north Dublin.

It is forecast that by 2023, an additional 40,000 people will travel into Dublin city centre from north county Dublin.

While passenger numbers through Dublin Airport are expected to exceed 23 million within four years.

It comes as new figures show traffic at Dublin Airport grew 11% in August.

It is expected there will be positive news on the link in the Capital Spending Plan, which will be announced in a few weeks.

According to Dublin Chamber CEO Gina Quin: "Dublin Chamber has long called for a high capacity, efficient and reliable rail link which services Dublin Airport. Dublin Airport is a vital piece of national infrastructure, with four out of every five visitors who arrive to Ireland by air coming through it".

The Dublin Chamber of Commerce say capital expenditure currently stands at about one-third of what it was at its peak of some €9bn in 2008.

It adds that a "consistent, sustainable approach to capital expenditure is one of the building blocks of a healthy, growing economy and this must be the aim going forward".