Alan Dillon (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I seek the Minister's support to develop additional opportunities at Ireland West Airport Knock. I have in mind areas within the Minister's remit in his respective Departments such as developing an Air Corps presence for training purposes or utilising the airport to support the work of Irish Aid being undertaken overseas. If we are serious about increasing activity at regional airports in the wake of the pandemic, we should identify Departments with the potential to increase their operations at Knock and counter the dominance of Dublin Airport in the years before the pandemic. Utilising the regional airports through simple steps such as Irish Aid logistical support and packages being flown overseas from Knock would make a practical difference. There should also be greater use by the Air Corps of airports such as Knock for training missions. It would certainly be a strong show of support for our regions.

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