Michelle Mulherin (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a bit shocked by the Minister of State's response. I cannot believe the Department has not made an application for 90% funding for Knock airport at this stage. A commitment was made two and a half years ago under the Ireland West Airport Knock-Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport study group, chaired by Deputy John O'Mahony, to give 90% funding. Last August, I was somewhat disappointed when we were told that the funding was actually 75% on approval of the regional airports programme by the European Commission with the opportunity to make a special case to seek 90%. I am now told that the conversation is ongoing. There is an idea that the ongoing engagement with Knock continues to address this issue, but it is not being addressed. This is two and a half years down the line. Last summer we were told that a 90% application was required, and the board at Knock airport is ready, willing and able to do whatever is required, including bending over backwards, to get such an application before the Commission.

What is going on in the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport? I can never seem to get any answers. I have submitted parliamentary questions and freedom of information requests to find out what communication there has been between the Department and the Commission on Knock. It seems there has been very little. I am sad to say that the Minister of State has given another standard-issue answer. Knock is being treated like every other regional airport, but it is not the same. I mean no disrespect to every other regional airport in the country. Ours is the only region that does not have another State airport. It seems to me that this has been going against Knock in terms of its treatment by the Department and has been happening since its inception or conception, whatever one wants to call it. Will the report and agreement signed up to by the Department be honoured? The Department signed up to the 90% at the time. It can say that the European Commission stipulated that 75% could be paid for capital works.

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