Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim leithscéal, an Teachta Naughten. Bhí sé ar mo chúl agus ní fhaca mé é.

Sílim go bhfuil léargas maith ó thaobh na ceiste seo curtha os comhair an Aire ag an Teachta Naughten agus ag an Teachta Mulherin as Contae Mhuigheo.

Bíonn daoine ar fud an iar-thuaiscirt ag déanamh freastail ar an aerphort seo. Cé go bhfuil aerphort againn i nDún na nGall fosta bainimid go leor usáid as an aerphort i gCnoc Mhuire. Ba mhaith linn, in iar-thuaisceart na tíre, cinnte a dhéanamh go bhfuil gach deis ag an aerphort fás san todhchaí agus nach mbeidh sé curtha ina míbhuntáiste mar gheall ar rud ar bith atá istigh i mBille Airgeadais na bliana seo.

Cosúil le Teachtaí eile, fuair mé litreacha ón aerphort ag iarraidh orainn leasú a chur síos ar an mBille. Ní aontaím le gach rud atá ráite ins na litreacha sin. Like other Deputies and the Minister, I have received correspondence from Ireland West Airport, Knock. In terms of some of the issues it has asked to be considered, I am not 100% sure that what is proposes is the best approach. However, what I am sure about is that this section should not disadvantage Ireland West Airport, Knock. That is the reason I asked that a review or a report be commissioned to examine this section to ascertain whether it does put Knock airport at a disadvantage. The case was put very well by Deputy Naughten.

I heard what the Minister said on Committee Stage - namely, that this section was devised for Shannon Airport because there is a market there that we need to grasp. I raised concerns about the aviation sector on Committee Stage and said that we need an in-depth examination of the sector to establish whether we are getting bang for our buck. I spelled out the position with regard to the aviation leasing sector to the Minister of State, Deputy Hayes, on Committee Stage. Some 50% of aviation leasing occurs in this State. The value of the aviation leasing sector to the State is €80 billion. The sector has a stock of 3,000 commercial planes, yet it employs only 1,000 people. It is not a labour-intensive sector. The question is whether we are getting bang for our buck.

What we have in the Bill is a specific identification of another market this country can grab, so to speak, in the same way we grabbed the aviation leasing sector. That is to be welcomed, but we must make sure we get a return. We must make sure also that we do not disadvantage other airports. I have nothing against the Government's having a policy position that identifies niche areas for different airports. In some respects, that is a positive development - for example, if there is a certain area into which an airport should develop.

I welcome the Minister's amendment on the end-of-life treatment and dismantling of aircraft, where a niche can be found for Ireland West Airport. The major issue, however, is that this is an add-on, and the amendment is amending a section that is tailor-made for Shannon Airport to try to benefit Knock airport in respect of this area of activity. The section is specific to Shannon Airport and has been designed in the knowledge that Shannon has income in its own right, which Knock airport does not have.

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