'Wasted opportunity' for Waterford Airport
Cllr Jim Griffin, Sinn Féin, who must relinquish his position on the board of Waterford Airport. Photo: Joe Evans
With changes on the political front, both nationally and locally, it raises the question of the future of Waterford Airport.
Most recently, Waterford City and County Council agreed to increase its proposed funding for the expansion of the runway, however, since the issue of the airport's business plan was raised by Matt Shanahan, TD, in the Dáil, with the Minister for Transport unknowingly having the document in his office for reviewal, the Minister, Eamon Ryan, has stepped down as Green Party leader.
He will continue in his Ministerial role until July 9, when the Green Party will then make a decision on how they will proceed with their new leader and other governmental duties.
On a more local level, the former Mayor and Green Party Councillor, Jody Power, who lost out on his seat at the local elections, told the Waterford News & Star that he's confident that Waterford Airport will serve the region commercially, but that it's just a question of when.
Mr Power also served on the Airport Board, over the past five-year term, with Sinn Féin Cllr Jim Griffin also representing the Council.
"It's one of the key pieces of the jigsaw to make Waterford the capital of the South East," said Mr Power.
"It's the only region in Ireland that is not serviced by an airport," he continued.
Despite such confidence and positivity from Mr Power, Cllr Griffin doesn't share the same views. He wished to continue his position on the airport board, however, due to the new pact formed for this term of the Plenary Council, Councillors Jim D'Arcy (FG) and Declan Barry (Independent) will take up the two board positions for the next five years.
Cllr Griffin told the Waterford News & Star that he "pleaded with the full Council" to have him stay on in his role as a board member.
Cllr Griffin said he also feels that by having two "inexperienced" councillors, it is "a wasted opportunity".
"This is a voluntary role. These political parties had nothing to gain financially and I offered to even relinquish the position after a few meetings had taken place and the airport was over the line, but they chose to select a councillor that lost his seat in 2014 and a newly elected councillor instead.
"I honestly just hope that they have the best intentions for Waterford and the airport," concluded Cllr Griffin.
