I have lost count of how many times Waterford Airport has been raised over the last number of years in the Dáil Chamber. I have certainly raised it dozens of times. A meeting took place between Government representatives, the Minister for Transport and members of the board of Waterford Airport a number of months ago. There was a lot of frustration in Waterford following that meeting because, after years of business cases, more information being sought, further information and clarification, the people of Waterford saw funding going to other airports, in Cork, Donegal, Kerry, Shannon and, obviously, Dublin. Waterford seems left behind again. The frustration was over the fact that more information and another business case were sought for Waterford Airport. The situation has become ridiculous in that it was 2019 when a previous Minister for Transport, Shane Ross, actually signed off in principle that the State would fund the airport. A lot of work has been done since to provide the Department with countless clarifications to a previous business case that was submitted, and the people of Waterford are asking themselves what is going on and why the airport in Waterford cannot get a fighting chance. Everybody knows that either the runway happens and different types of aircraft can take off, which means we have a chance to have commercial activity at the airport again, or it does not happen and the airport closes. That is the stark reality facing us. We want to have the same opportunities as any other region. Three local authorities – Kilkenny, Wexford and Waterford – are putting very serious money on the table. We also have private sector consortia putting money on the table. Those who have so far come empty-handed in terms of money, albeit with many promises, are the Department and Government. I ask the Minister of State again whether he can set out whether the Government is going to support the airport. When will he deliver the funding?

Sentiment score: 0.02

The Minister of State might be familiar with the phrases "Build it and they will come" and "Show us the money". He stated that it is up to the airport "to demonstrate that sufficient demand and industry commitment [should] exist to facilitate regular scheduled passenger services". That can only be determined when there is a runway. If there is no runway, no airline will come in. At the moment, jets cannot take off from Waterford Airport. It is turboprop planes only. That is the difficulty. If we get a runway extension, we have a fighting chance. The Minister of State talked about sponsoring agencies. There are three local authorities, not just Waterford. Kilkenny and Wexford are putting serious money on the table. This is needed. Games are being played here for far too long. I said a number of months ago this was a case of sending a fool further. Every time we come in, a Minister stands up and the first words out of that Minister's mouth are that the Government is supportive of Waterford Airport and the runway extension. Again, as I said, show me the money. Show the people of Waterford the money. Give us the opportunity to have a fighting chance to be able to get that commercial activity. It is the Government that is holding up progress, not private sector sponsors, or the airport or local authorities. It is the Government that has, so far, refused to put any money on the table. I still hear nothing tonight from the Minister of State that tells me that will change any time soon.

Sentiment score: 0.01