Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is the language Deputy Martin used to describe the airport. In his reaction, what he fails to acknowledge in any way is the engagement I have had to support this airport. I have met with both the DAA and local management within Cork Airport on many different occasions. If I looked at the different matters the Deputy has raised, I would point to the fact that Tourism Ireland, as I said in my reply, is working with Cork Airport to land routes and that new routes have recently been landed at the airport. I met with the management of Cork Airport only weeks ago to review with them the efforts they have made to bring in new routes and bring new access to the airport.

I have already acknowledged to the Deputy, as I have to many of his colleagues within the region, that I am concerned about the trend that is evident there. I want to see Cork Airport increase its passenger numbers in the future for reasons of supporting investment in the region and supporting tourism in the area and beyond. I point to the support we have given it in the recent past. We have now launched a new proposition, Ireland's Ancient East, to respond to some of the points that have been made within the Deputy's county regarding the need to better support different tourism assets within the area. A crucial reason for this is the need to find ways to generate more demand within that region, which in turn will support this airport. In terms of specific supports that I and State agencies are providing to the airport, I have engaged directly with the management of Cork Airport and Tourism Ireland is working directly with them to support their efforts to bring in new routes in what I know is a competitive environment. The Deputy himself acknowledged that the rates Cork Airport is offering are competitive versus many of its European peers. In that environment, with the support that Tourism Ireland is giving to the airport-----

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