Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

Previous investment into Ireland West Airport Knock has related to safety. In other airports to the south and east investment has gone towards expanding the existing aprons rather than towards safety and security. I understand what the Minister said with regard to the European Union. Surely, however, with the deficit of €3.9 billion in the BMW area, with such an important catalyst and with such a low figure of only 500,000 passengers compared with 25 million in the south and east, there is a pressing case for Ireland West Airport Knock. Will the Minister put pressure on the European Union to ensure that the airport gets the money it deserves for balanced regional development?

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