Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have to admit I feel slightly cheeky taking this matter this evening, given Deputy Ring's contribution to the development of the airport during his time in government. It was a serious contribution and he put in place a lot of supports. It was through his efforts that the strategic development zone was created. It is a matter of enormous frustration that it has not moved on. The challenge to the survival of the airport during Covid was immense. I agree with Deputy Ring that it is a credit to Joe Gilmore, the staff and the board that they got the airport through that period. Now that we have done so, we can focus on the strategic development zone.

Deputy Ring is absolutely right that the Taoiseach travelled to the airport last Friday week. The Minister of State, Deputy Chambers, also visited. We met the board and we were briefed on the importance of the strategic development zone. As Deputy Ring is aware, the Department launched nine new regional enterprise plans in 2022. A key feature of the regional enterprise plans is that they are developed by regional stakeholders using a bottom-up approach. The west regional enterprise plan is chaired by Evelyn O'Toole of Complete Laboratory Solutions in Galway. The Deputy will be aware the west regional enterprise plan includes an objective to advance the development of regional entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem in the region.

Action 5 under the objective focuses on strengthening the enterprise strategy for the strategic development zone at Ireland West Airport Knock. When Deputy Ring was in government he ensured the designation of Ireland West Airport Knock as a strategic development zone. The airport is a critical piece of enterprise-enabling infrastructure for the region and the strategic development zone designation has the potential to enhance its role significantly as a driver of regional economic development, in the manner envisaged 40 years ago by the late Monsignor Horan, to develop both an airport and jobs. Deputy Ring is aware that the site has a complicated planning history. In fairness to Deputy Ó Cuív, he envisaged locating the headquarters of the Department of Community and Rural Development on the airport site. That fell foul of planning, which is why the strategic development zone was developed.

In 2022, the Department launched the regional enterprise innovation scoping scheme which provided funding of €3.4 million for 42 projects. The Horan Airport Trust secured funding of €50,000 under the scheme to undertake a feasibility study looking at the potential for an infinity hub at Ireland West Airport Knock as a focal point for the circular economy and its development for industry and clustering activity for various sectors. It is clear, from my interaction and meeting with the board, that this money is not enough and will not allow us to proceed as quickly as we need. The stakeholders, including IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and Mayo County Council, need to work collectively to achieve this.

Deputy Ring was present last week when the Taoiseach visited. We have undertaken to get all the stakeholders around the table in the coming weeks to decide on a plan for the strategic development zone and to ensure that plan is followed. I will work with Deputy Ring to ensure the plan is funded. I absolutely agree with him on the potential not only for the airport but also the wider economy in Mayo and the wider western economy with regard to the circular economy, energy and the services the airport can offer. I certainly will ensure the full weight of Government support will be behind this effort and that it is not only a meeting about a meeting but a substantive endeavour that we are starting on.

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