Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We are a proud people in Mayo, as the Chairman will be aware, and the airport is close to our hearts. It is one of the big issues that has arisen for me in recent months. Even this morning, I received a text message saying that we cannot let anything happen to our airport. There is a strong sense of ownership by the people of Mayo. The Chairman will be aware that seven local authorities in the west came together to put almost €8 million into the airport. I was a member of Mayo County Council when this happened. It was an unprecedented deal. It shows how much importance the region attaches to this airport, with 100 people employed directly, 3,000 indirect jobs and the impact it has on the hospitality and tourism sectors. It is our connection to the world. Monsignor Horan was told at the outset that he was completely mad to envisage an airport in the foggy, boggy hills of Mayo. He managed to pull it off, in no small part because the people of Mayo supported him.

Mr. Gilmore met the Taoiseach recently to discuss this issue. I am sure that, along with Donegal and Kerry, he is very welcoming of the additional funding of €28 million that was announced. Regarding the airport's current situation, while I am biased, it is probably the most efficiently run airport in the country. I know from travelling through the airport on many occasions that everybody does more than one job. That is how efficiently the airport is run. I know aggressive cost-cutting measures have been employed, with the support of staff, to make sure that the airport can survive and it is doing its part. Local people have no problem with paying the development fee of €10 when they depart the airport. They are quite happy to support the airport by paying that fee to make sure that the airport can stay there. On top of the money that was received yesterday and previous supports, does Mr. Gilmore think the airport is okay for the coming months, or what additional supports does he think might be required in the next six to 12 months?