Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Any suggestion that the Cork-Heathrow slots could be lost would be devastating for Cork Airport and the region it serves. I recognise that the Minister cannot comment in detail on this issue but the suggestion that IAG is giving a commitment that the Heathrow slots will be used for Irish routes for the next five years in no way addresses the concerns that have been expressed in this regard. In five years' time, Cork could be first to lose those slots.

The national aviation policy makes only limited reference to Cork Airport, in contrast its suggestions for Shannon Airport, which include an international aviation services centre, an aero-industry hub and a centre of excellence for business aviation. This is something that needs to be investigated further. A regional air connectivity marketing fund along the lines of similar projects developed in the UK could be immensely beneficial to Cork. In 2011, the previous Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport commissioned a report from the consultancy firm, Booz and Company, which recommended that Cork remain part of DAA, with getting greater local autonomy on commercial decision making. That recommendation should be revisited. The 19 Deputies from Cork, of whom I am one, should work together more closely to address the issues arising for Cork Airport. I will be suggesting to my colleagues that we establish a friends of Cork Airport Oireachtas group to lobby the Minister and other key stakeholders to ensure the airport's future remains on the agenda and that it is put on a sustainable footing. As its current decline is likely to continue unless something changes, I urge the Minister to look positively at some of my suggestions. By putting the airport on a sustainable footing once again, I hope it will be able to position itself for growth in the coming years.

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