Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

It is a colossal underspend and a compelling reason for the Government to invest €29 million in Ireland West Airport Knock.

Funding is needed in the next three years for an extension of the passenger terminal and the installation of category 2 navigation status for the airport, which is Ireland's fourth international airport, with the third longest runway. During a recent celebration of the welcome arrival of three fire engines at the airport, two new and one second-hand, an aeroplane was unable to land for a considerable period because the lack of category 2 navigational status meant that fog prevented the landing. Knock Airport is the only international airport in Ireland that does not have this status.

The Government must not only consider the abolition of the groceries order but should also consider what it can do for businesses, which not only exist in O'Connell Street, Dublin. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael — Tweedledum and Tweedledee — have based so much——

See this speech in context