David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

I do not blame the Minister of State who is taking the debate but, as I expected at the start of my original contribution, the written statement from the Minister of State again talks about a review, consideration and next steps. It states that it will be considered and there will be further engagement and an appraisal process. We need the money. It is that simple. It is "Yes" or "No". Will the Government fund the runway extension or not? This was signed off in principle, as the Minister of State knows, back in 2019. It really is a case of sending the fool further. Every single time I come in, I get the same recycled speech. I could be here in a year's time again still listening to talk about next steps and appraisals. Yet Cork Airport is getting tens and hundreds of millions. Dublin Airport gets funding. Shannon Airport gets funding. Kerry Airport gets funding. Other airports get funding and we are left behind. This is an issue for the Taoiseach, Deputy Micheál Martin, for the Tánaiste, Deputy Simon Harris, and for the Ministers of State, Deputies Mary Butler and John Cummins. They must step up to the plate and tell the people of the south east if the Government is going to do this or not. Stop sending the fool further in relation to this.

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