Michael Colreavy (Sligo-North Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Scollan and Mr. Gilmore for their presentation. However, I believe we have the wrong witnesses before the committee today. We should have the Minister here. My question to the Minister would be what does he have against the people of the north west. At a previous committee meeting I drew out a rough sketch of the infrastructural map of Ireland. North of a line from Dublin to Galway there is nothing apart from the Dublin to Sligo line. The one little star was Knock airport. We have heard the history of passenger growth, 99% punctuality, and a subvention of 87 cent per passenger compared with 6 cent to 8 cent in the other airports. The airport is funding 94% of its operating costs and employs 100 people, with another 900 in indirect employment. It makes a significant contribution and serves a growing list of international destinations. My question is to the Minister. Why is he punishing a successful operation?

I have two questions for the witnesses. Do they envisage any prospect of engagement with the Minister or the Department to level the playing field? Without that engagement and without a successful outcome to that engagement, does Knock airport have a sustainable future after 2014?