Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What the Taoiseach has referenced there is the ability of people in the south east to get up and go. I absolutely concur with that. The issue I am talking about is an infrastructural piece, which is Waterford Airport. The Taoiseach accused me of developing conspiracy theories. I put it to him that €350,000 in annual stopgap funding has been withdrawn and that the airport was excluded from €180 million worth of aviation sector funding. This is in respect of an airport that is privately supported. I ask the Taoiseach to give a clear commitment to Waterford Airport. If he does that, I will not bring the matter up again on the Order of Business. That is what people want to hear. Waterford is mentioned in the programme for Government as being the strategic driver of the south-east region. How are we to do that if we are not to get investment in strategic infrastructure? I ask the Taoiseach to give a commitment to the future economic support of Waterford regional airport.

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