Ms Eil?s Docherty:

We at Donegal Airport support the existing national aviation policy and consider it to be a robust framework which facilitates the aviation industry and, specifically for us, regional airports in maintaining the highest standards of safety, security and sustainability, particularly through the regional airports programme 2021-25. The airport management works closely with the competent authorities in implementing both safety and security measures to meet both national and international regulations. The provision of capital grants through the capital expenditure, CAPEX, and public policy remit-capital, PPR-C, schemes allow us to maintain facilities and equipment to the highest standard and the operational, OPEX, grant assists us with the costs associated with core non-economic expenditure in the provision of air traffic control, rescue and fire fighting services. As an example of some of the projects implemented under the PPR-C grant scheme, we were proud to be the first Irish airport to install the European Civil Aviation Conference, ECAC, approved explosive detection systems, EDS, standard 3 cabin baggage screening equipment. This equipment has streamlined the screening process for passengers and gives the screener unparalleled resolution and image quality and thereby enhancing security measures at the airport.

In terms of sustainability, we recognise the importance of urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency to address the increasing threats of climate change. We are committed to an interim target of a 51% reduction in total emissions by 2030 relative to our baseline of 2022 and net zero emissions by 2050. We are in the process of achieving level 1 – carbon footprint mapping under the airport carbon accreditation, ACA, programme and hope to achieve level 2 – carbon footprint reduction by year end. In parallel, we have implemented essential projects to reduce energy consumption, such as the upgrade of our terminal building and runway lighting to full LED, solar PV panels with battery storage for our hangar roof, the replacement of ground support equipment with electric models and the installation of vehicle charging points in our car park. Some of these projects were also funded through the CAPEX grant scheme and we have identified further sustainability projects in our grant applications under the regional airports programme for 2023. I will now hand over to our chairman, Mr. Martin.