Martin Conway (Fine Gael)
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In terms of previous aviation policy, I contend we have had too many airports in the west and other regions getting State support from Donegal, Mayo-Galway, Kerry, Waterford and so on. For an island of our size aviation policy in the past was thwarted and not very well focused. Mayo airport has proven itself above and beyond the other airports I mentioned and there is a significant role for it in that there should be an airport servicing that region but giving State support to all the airports that received it over the years was thwarted policy. At least now we have a focused policy to try to ensure that the three hub airports succeed, Shannon being the international airport on the west coast. While the Chairman's point is well made we need to learn from mistakes made in the past also.