'Not acceptable': Waterford Airport still hasn't heard from new Minister for Transport

Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane revealed in the Dáil last week that, despite name-dropping Waterford Airport’s development project in the Programme for Government and election manifestos, the Board has yet to receive any formal communication from the Minister for Transport or the Minister of State at the Department.

The inclusion of the airport in the government’s recent Programme for Government was seen as a big win for the region’s airport hopes, with William Bolster labelling it as a “massive step forward” for the project.

Months later, Deputy Cullinane said it was “not acceptable that the Board has still not received any formal communication from the Minister for Transport or the Minister of State”.

The Sinn Féin representative described the government’s track record on the issue as leaving the project “on the wayside since 2019”.

“The runway extension at Waterford Airport must be a priority," he said.

"A positive decision on funding for the runway extension is needed in the coming weeks so that a tender can be issued to secure a contractor for this summer," he added.

“If works are to happen this year, a contractor needs to be appointed in time for summer," said Deputy Cullinane.

"I have been informed that summer is the optimal time for these works to happen, and if a contractor is not in place in time for that, then the project will likely be delayed by another year," he added.

"Works are unlikely to commence in the autumn and would be delayed by the winter."