Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I know he is as committed to the airport and the region as I am. As I have said, it is probably the most important bit of infrastructure that we have in rural Ireland. We all need to work together and pull together. We all need to make sure this high-profile meeting will take place with the stakeholders, IDA Ireland, and whatever State agencies have to come. The time has come. The land is there, the zoning is there and the commitment is there. What we need now is to get regional development and bring back some balance back to the regions. The infrastructure is there. Things in the country are going well at present. We need to be looking ahead and we need to know the west of Ireland will be catered for. I know that in his role, the Minister of State will make sure IDA Ireland will play its part. He and I will make sure the meeting will take place with the Taoiseach. I will continue to raise the matter until it does. What we really want is action. What we really want from the Government is a real commitment. I know the Minister of State is committed to it. I am asking him to deliver the message that it does not have to be in the ownership of IDA Ireland. IDA Ireland has done a very good job and I would never fault it. When I was a Minister, I saw the way it performed outside this country. It has done a very good job. When it is committed to something, it delivers. I am asking it to make a commitment to this infrastructure. If it makes a commitment to it, it will deliver on it.

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