Minister Lawless apologises for "a pig in a poke" comments on WLR
The Minister of State drew significant criticism last week by downplaying the strength of the business case for the extension of the runway at Waterford Airport.
Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless TD, has apologised today for describing the Waterford Airport business plan as "a pig in a poke" in the Dáil last week.
"I apologise for any offence caused, it certainly wasn't the intention," Minister Lawless said to Damien Tiernan on WLR FM.
Minister Lawless admitted that he hadn't yet visited Waterford Airport, but said he had a scheduled visit there for November.
The Minister drew significant criticism last week by downplaying the strength of the business case for the extension of the runway at the local facility.
"Whether the money comes at the start, the middle or the finish, the fact is the State is being asked to contribute significant funding to buy a pig in poke to an extent, based on a business case that, being frank, could be stronger... could be a lot stronger," said Minister Lawless, in response to a parliamentary question in Dáil Éireann last week.
Minister Lawless said that the business case was "predicated on the basis that its first year of operation would exceed its best-ever figures of operation in the past".
The Minister of State was speaking in response to a parliamentary question from Independent Waterford TD, Deputy Matt Shanahan, who had asked the Minister for an update on the Department's position on the proposal for Government funding to extend Waterford Airport's runway.
The Department of Transport had received the assessment of the resubmitted business case prepared by Waterford Airport but no decision has been made yet on the case. A decision is still pending, waiting for the Ministers to make a determination on the project based on the appraisal.
