Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

On accepting high office, the Taoiseach said he would work every day to realise the hopes, dreams and aspirations of all our people. The people in the south east have seen €125 million of public money being put into regional airports that excluded Waterford. We have seen a €2 billion capital programme for Dublin Airport. That is before discussion of the metro boondoggle the State is about to embark on. The previous taoisigh in this 33rd Dáil have committed to Waterford Airport. The Waterford, Wexford and Kilkenny councils have agreed to put in money. There is private capital on the table and the Government risk is capped at €12 million, yet we see the business case is languishing in the Department. It has had the business case for 19 weeks. The Taoiseach knows the works must be started this summer if they are to be completed this year at all. Is he really working to realise the hopes and aspirations of the people of Waterford? The airport is a litmus test of that.

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