Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)

I am grateful to the Minister for his detailed reply to my question. He referred to €100 million which is available for security, development projects and so on at regional airports over five years. Even though it was announced in the budget last December, and it is now May, the money has not yet come on stream. Knock airport is seeking €29 million for an apron area in particular. It is facing congestion this summer because the planes that have been landing at the airport have been successful in increasing their flights, therefore, there will not be adequate apron area for these aircraft to turn around. There is a difficulty with the large aircraft landing at the airport, which has the third largest runway in Ireland.

When will the €100 million be made available, which would go a long way towards providing Knock airport with the €29 million it requires? While it was announced in the budget last December, it has not been made available so far.

See this speech in context