Conor McGuinness (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

The Government is stifling the economic potential of Waterford and the wider south east. That is the simple truth of it and there is no getting away from that. Every week that goes by without this decision being made puts a noose around the neck of the regional economy in the south east. Our region has been left waiting and waiting for critical investment in infrastructure that would unlock jobs, tourism and regional growth. Chief among this infrastructure is the long-promised runway at Waterford Airport. Planning permission has been granted and regional funding from local authorities and private investors has been secured. The business case is clear. Year after year, the Government refuses to put its hand in its pocket.

As Deputy Cullinane has said, the Taoiseach has announced a capital injection of €200 million into Cork Airport for additional retail space and a refurbished executive lounge but €12 million cannot be found for an extended runway at Waterford Airport. Let us be clear; Waterford does not begrudge Cork its investment but we do resent being left behind. This is part of a wider pattern. The N25 remains dangerous and underfunded. The N24 is forgotten. Local roads like the R671 between Dungarvan and Clonmel are starved of investment. When it comes to the south east, it is not just that the scales are not balanced. In fact, it seems the Taoiseach has not just his thumb, but his whole hand on the scales. We talk about regional balance but where is the balance or fairness in this? The south east and Waterford are left behind again and again. It is regional bias rather than regional balance. There is no other way of looking at this. It is failing communities and businesses across counties Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford. We are running out of road or runway here so I will ask the Minister of State a plain and direct question. Will he commit today to funding the long-awaited runway extension at Waterford Airport?

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