The Irish Coast Guard is launching an enhanced aviation service from Waterford Airport today. I fully support and welcome it because it is a really important service. We all know that the search and rescue service has huge support right across the State, but particularly in the south east. Unfortunately, there were tragedies in the past and colleagues were lost, but it is great to see an enhanced service. I want to raise a wider issue in relation to Waterford Airport because there is now a real opportunity to develop it. It is still a very sore point that the Government dragged its feet for too long on funding a runway extension. As the Tánaiste knows, a very wealthy private investor is now going to come in with money and extend the runway. We want to see that happen. If it happens – I think it will very quickly – it will create huge opportunities economically, in addition to enhancing connectivity with, I hope, Britain and the rest of Europe. The Government will then have a role in supporting the airport. It has not got State funding for so long because there have not been commercial flights, but with the enhanced service from the Irish Coast Guard and the runway extension I hope will be built, there are real opportunities. I hope that when the extension is built, the Government will come with money and support and enable us to have a fit-for-purpose airport that I believe can transform the south east region.

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