Its time for take-off with Waterford Airport funding
€200 million is to be allocated for the expansion at Cork Airport. Stock Image
The time to end the wait for funding to develop Waterford Airport is now.
That's according to Sinn Féin TD for Waterford, Deputy David Cullnane, who called on the Taoiseach Michéal Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, to directly intervene and ensure funding is provided to extend the runway at the facility.
He said both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael had campaigned strongly in the General Election on the airport issue and that promises made must mean promises delivered.
Commenting on the matter to Waterford News & Star and waterford-news.ie, Deputy Cullinane said: “There is incredible frustration in Waterford with the ongoing delay in making a decision on funding Waterford Airport. This was compounded by news of a €200m investment in Cork Airport, launched by Taoiseach, Michéal Martin."
“In 2019, the then Minister for Transport, Shane Ross signed off on funding the runway extension at Waterford Airport," said Deputy Cullinane.
"At a meeting with local Oireachtas members at the time he outlined the level of resistance he met in the Department of Transport but made a decision nonetheless," he added.
However, Deputy Cullinane said that in the interim there has been lots of delays.
"Ever since we have seen delay after delay and hurdle after hurdle put in the way of providing the funding," he said.
"Business cases, clarification and additional information has been sought and provided time and again, with final clarifications given last August," he added, before going on to comment: “The question is why are we waiting? What is the delay? Without this funding Waterford Airport has no viable or sustainable future. The runway extension will pave the way for a commercial carrier to provide commercial flights to Britain and elsewhere."
Deputy Cullinane said air connectivity to Britain is very important for business and tourism and that at a time when Dublin Airport is under pressure, regional airports can act as an important counterweight.
“It is now decision time, it is a case of no more delays," he said.
"This requires intervention at the highest political level," he added.
"Michéal Martin and Simon Harris must now directly intervene, break the log am and deliver the funding and give Waterford Airport a fighting chance to grow and thrive.”
