Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, is otherwise disposed. However, I regret he is not here to take this matter. I am from Mayo, where Ireland West Airport Knock is located. I am gravely concerned for the future of this airport in light of the announcement earlier this year with regard to the separation of Shannon Airport from the Dublin Airport Authority and its amalgamation with Shannon Development, the purpose of which is to make Shannon Airport self-financing. We know that Shannon Airport operates at a significant operational loss year-on-year, to the tune of €8 million. Shannon Airport is key to the future development of the mid-west region. Knock airport, which serves the west and north-west regions, is equally significant, if not more so. Knock airport is a success story. The Minister should not be making decisions which have an anti-competitive effect on Knock airport and ultimately undermine its future viability. The airport operates on a shoestring budget. The three State airports should be benchmarked against Knock airport for efficiencies.

Knock airport was established in 1985 by Monsignor James Horan, whose mantle has been taken up by the trusteeship under which Knock operates and by the people of the area. Some 680,000 passengers will pass through Knock airport this year. Five major airlines serve 25 international routes from the airport. All of this is being done without the financial and regulatory focus the Government has on the State airports. Knock airport does not need to be undermined. The Minister is on the record as saying that it is a role model in terms of efficiencies, how to do business in aviation and how to be competitive and succeed. There is a great emotional attachment to Knock airport in the region, which, more than any other region in the country, has suffered mass emigration. For many years our diaspora were in the international sphere but we were not internationally accessible. However, that was before the construction of Knock airport.

The Minister has stated on many occasions that any development of Knock airport is a matter for the management of the airport because it is a privately owned entity. This is his reason for not having a plan for Knock airport. I do not accept that. Knock airport is run as a trusteeship. Its stated objective is the social and economic development of the region. Unlike any other airport in this country, Knock airport has been funded to the tune of €26 million by the people of the region and its diaspora. It is owned by the people and should be supported into the future. It is a red herring to suggest that this is the reason something cannot be done for Knock airport.

The concerns of the management of Knock airport need to be taken seriously and a plan for the future growth of the airport needs to be worked out. It must be given the same focus shown to Shannon. As a peripheral area competing in a global village for business and tourism, Mayo cannot afford to have its airport undermined going forward. I do not wish to play any part in putting the final nail in the coffin of Knock airport. This problem will not go away.

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