Editorial: Less of a gateway, more of a closed gate as Waterford runway extension hits Department wall

Those of a certain vintage will recall the series Get Smart, and its lead protagonist, Maxwell Smart's, entrance at the start of each episode. He had to pass through multiple high-protection steel doors. It comes to mind when considering the hoops put in front of those at Waterford Airport to get our runway extension 'business case' over the line.

This week, the department, it is understood, 'explained' that what we all considered to be a business case was not a business case after all. In the case of Waterford Airport's originally submitted 'business case', and according to Minister of State and Chief Whip Mary Butler, it was, in fact, 'The Waterford Airport Capital Expenditure Strategic Assessment Report'. 

I'm sure they were surprised about that out at Waterford Airport when the Department of Transport brought it up at last week's crucial meeting. After all, it was considered a business case for the best part of the last year, and, indeed, referred to as a business case by local officials and senior members of government.

One wonders if Ministers Butler and John Cummins were also caught unawares that this was how things were going to proceed, and be explained out to them at the meeting, attended by Minister of Transport Darragh O'Brien and key officials from his department - including the Secretary General, Head of Aviation and Principal Aviation Officer. 

One suspects that afterwards there was not so much considerable head scratching behind various Waterford closed doors, but heads being banged off the proverbial brick wall.

Minister Cummins was determined to put the best foot forward two days later in his interview in the offices of the Waterford News & Star, having evidently considered this new turn of phrase. So he followed with his own, more optimistic language: gateway.

In Waterford, though, the only gateway we are concerned with are the actual gates through which passengers pass to embark on jet aircraft and take off for destinations in the UK and possibly Europe. But this, of course, will not happen without a runway extension.

We seem to be in the territory of 24/7 cardiac care all over again (review upon review), with the latest hurdle expected to delay the possibility of a runway extension getting the green light to be progressed by at least a year. All the time that passes, the costs mount still further.

This is all despite the fact that the project has the full support of the South East's local authorities, key investors ready to commit their money, and the full backing of the local business community.

But, it seems, for the moment, more gateways must be contended with if Waterford Airport is to achieve its runway extension.

How many yet to come, who can tell?

IKEA's vote of confidence

While the Department of Transport might be nervous of investing in Waterford, the same is not true of IKEA, who this week announced that they will open their largest store outside of Dublin in the Déise later in July.

There is huge anticipation for the popular furniture and homeware giant's city base, which will include the sale of 100 items, that can be bought and taken home on the spot.

We wish them the best of luck with their Waterford venture, and also to those employees who will take up the new jobs being advertised. As the tagline says, we are delighted to see some of 'the wonderful everyday' set up on Suirside.