David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)

The Minister of State might be familiar with the phrases "Build it and they will come" and "Show us the money". He stated that it is up to the airport "to demonstrate that sufficient demand and industry commitment [should] exist to facilitate regular scheduled passenger services". That can only be determined when there is a runway. If there is no runway, no airline will come in. At the moment, jets cannot take off from Waterford Airport. It is turboprop planes only. That is the difficulty. If we get a runway extension, we have a fighting chance. The Minister of State talked about sponsoring agencies. There are three local authorities, not just Waterford. Kilkenny and Wexford are putting serious money on the table. This is needed.

Games are being played here for far too long. I said a number of months ago this was a case of sending a fool further. Every time we come in, a Minister stands up and the first words out of that Minister's mouth are that the Government is supportive of Waterford Airport and the runway extension. Again, as I said, show me the money. Show the people of Waterford the money. Give us the opportunity to have a fighting chance to be able to get that commercial activity. It is the Government that is holding up progress, not private sector sponsors, or the airport or local authorities. It is the Government that has, so far, refused to put any money on the table. I still hear nothing tonight from the Minister of State that tells me that will change any time soon.

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