Waterford Airport Board to meet Minister Lawless
Deputy James Lawless, Minister of State at the Department of Transport speaking in response to a parliamentary question in Dáil Éireann. Oireachtas TV.
The Board of Waterford Airport will meet Minister of State James Lawless to discuss the runway extension amid significant controversy in recent days following the Deputy labelling the business case as "a pig in a poke".
Chief Executive of Waterford Airport, William Bolster. will meet the Minister of State for the Department of Transport tomorrow alongside two other representatives of the board.
A statement from Fianna Fáil Councillor Adam Wyse said that he was "pleased to announce that having spoken to Minister Lawless, I have helped secure a critical meeting between the Waterford Airport Board and the Minister, which will take place tomorrow. This meeting is essential, giving the Board the opportunity to address the technical concerns surrounding the airport's development proposal."
The Waterford Councillor said that he had spoken to the Minister of State many times about Waterford Airport and that he "will continue to do everything I can to ensure Waterford gets the investment it deserves."
"Waterford can't afford further delays," Councillor Wyse said, "I'm hopeful that after this meeting, both the Minister and the Board will come away knowing exactly what each party needs to do to deliver this project for Waterford and the region."
Waterford News & Star revealed earlier this week that Waterford Chamber of Commerce is set to sit down with Minister of State Lawless after writing to him to object to his “critical misunderstandings” in the Dáil.
“When compared with Dublin Airport’s expenditure of €340 million for a new runway, the investment in Waterford is significantly more cost-effective and promises substantial returns,” the letter said, addressing a number of the concerns Minister Lawless raised.
“While the motorway to Dublin is a strength, it does not substitute the need for an operational regional airport," stated the letter.
Following the correspondance, the Chamber spoke with Minister Lawless and organised to meet him with the Waterford contingent hoping that the meeting will secure a definitive commitment on the airport expansion.
