‘This will happen’- Waterford Airport Board members say
Waterford Airport board members spoke last week about what the process of procuring a new business plan will look like.
It was revealed in recent weeks that the Department of Transport have sought a new 'business case' for the proposed runway extension at the airport.
Cllrs Jim D'Arcy (FG) and Declan Barry (Ind), who are members of the Waterford Airport board, said this process may take around a year.
Both members said they are confident that a strong case will be made.
“We’re in a very strong position" Cllr D'Arcy said.
"We’re in the programme for government, and the board has agreed to engage with a far more robust business plan."
Cllr D’Arcy added that the previous plan which was submitted and refused "wasn’t robust enough".
“I think we have the political will and I don’t think it will go on very long," he said.
"I think we either will have an airport or we wont have an airport, but it’ll be about a year. We need to get the house in order and get the work done on this."
Meanwhile, Cllr Barry assured that "we will get there."
“I think this will happen,” he said, "we just have to go through the gateways that are here, that’s our only option".
There are currently eight members on the Waterford Airport board.
Former Chief Executive of Waterford Council Michael Walsh was recently elected Chair of the board, following the recent passing of Dan Browne.
Chief Executives of three local authorities also serve, Waterford (Sean McKeown), Wexford (Eddie Taaffe) and Kilkenny (Lar Power).
Waterford councillors Jim D'Arcy and Declan Barry are on the board, as is William Bolster who is a significant shareholder in the airport, and David Walsh who is the Managing Partner of O'Neill Foley Chartered Accountants.
