Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)

Some 40% of the passengers who use the City of Derry Airport are from Donegal. The Minister of State understands the geography of Derry and how close it is to Donegal. It serves a region of about 500,000 people. If he gets a map of Ireland out, he will see that, unfortunately, we do not have a motorway connection. Our hearts have been broken with the A5 delays. We do not have a direct rail connection from Derry to Dublin and on to Donegal, so this air link is vital. It has been a long battle but it is good news and I welcome the Government's funding of it. I would like to bring it forward as soon as possible. From talking to the airport team, they feel confident they can do this in the first half of next year. I ask the Government to work in partnership with the airport. Let us take this project home. It will be a good news story for all the north west when it happens.

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