WATCH: Airport hopes crash land following Dáil comments
Deputy Matt Shanahan during the Dáil debate
All hopes for the expansion of Waterford Regional Airport as a major entry point into the country for tourism and commercial air traffic were all but dashed in the Dáil this week.
Deputy Matt Shanahan asked for an update on the situation with regard to the airport and in doing so highlighted the importance of the facility not just for Waterford but for the entire south east region.
However, in response to his queries, Minister of State at the Department of Transport, James Lawless said: "The State is being asked to contribute significant funding to buy a pig in a poke. Based on a business proposal that, to be frank, could be stronger, a lot stronger."
Minister Lawless said if a stronger proposal was brought before back he would be open to reviewing it.
He also said there was no problem with the project proceeding as a private enterprise, but added that the State was being asked to contribute before construction ends and "long before a plane has taken off".
Watch the video of the debate here:
Airport ✈️ for #southeast region a big part of securing our economic future …. €488m spent in Govt programme in regional aviation but not a cent given to #Waterford Airport - & now this!! Bike sheds, security huts, modular houses are no problem! But fund @WATairport - no way! pic.twitter.com/ij7XfCFm5p
— Matt Shanahan (@MattShanahan1) October 18, 2024
For a further report by Hugh Dooley on this developing story see here
