Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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118. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on discussions with the management of Ireland West Airport Knock, County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9877/15]

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Mr. Conor Skehan was interviewed last week on the radio as chairman of the Housing Agency. He said the greater Dublin area now runs in an arc from Dundalk to Athlone to Kilkenny. That is the impact of the economy of the Dublin region. However, as the Minister knows, in my part of the country - in western counties like Mayo, Roscommon, Galway, Leitrim and Sligo - we have not seen the impact. Knock Airport can be a key driver to bringing investment into the region. I want to know what plans the Government has to bring new investment into that project.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I want to begin by congratulating the management of Ireland West Airport Knock, which last year saw over 700,000 passengers pass through its doors. This was an extraordinary performance on their behalf, making it the best year ever for the number of travellers in and out of this airport. This success should not be forgotten and is, in part, thanks to Exchequer support over the past ten years of over €20 million in capital and operational subvention.

My Department has had extensive engagement with the various representatives of Ireland West Airport Knock over the years and, in particular, was represented on and provided secretarial support to the Ireland West Airport Knock study group, which reported in December 2013 on the options and opportunities for the growth and development of the airport. The outcomes of that study have been reflected in Ireland's draft national aviation policy. They also underpin Ireland's draft regional airports programme 2015-19, which is with the European Commission at present for its consideration and approval.

The most recent engagement with the airport, along with Donegal, Kerry and Waterford airports, has been in regard to the EU guidelines on state aid for airports and airlines, and clarifying issues raised with the Commission which, in turn, are being reflected in the new programme. The Department is also engaging with the airports in preparation for implementation of that programme once we get the necessary EU approval, and also in regard to their future growth and funding under that programme.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I thank the Minister. I would contend that Knock Airport is not a regional airport. It serves a catchment of 1.1 million people and supports 900 jobs within the region. It is a significant economic driver and has the potential to bring more investment into the region.

When was that proposal submitted to the European Commission and when is it likely we will see approval for it from the Commission? What is the timeline for the implementation of the recommendations set out in that working group report by the airport and the Government back in December 2013? What real actions are we going to see on the ground?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I can assure the Deputy of the active interest of, for one, the Minister of State, Deputy Ring, who is a very prominent and positive supporter of the airport-----

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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And vocal.

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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-----and raises its position within my Department assiduously and regularly. As it also has the active support of the Taoiseach and Deputies O'Mahony and Mulherin, the airport receives an appropriate and ongoing amount of focus from me.

To deal with the analysis Deputy Naughten has laid out regarding the regional importance of the airport, I accept his point that its importance stretches well beyond the local importance it may have within its county and that it meets regional needs. On the basis of the performance the airport put in last year, with over 700,000 passengers going through its doors, it is delivering a very strong mandate in regard to proposed growth.

I have regular contact, through my officials, with the European Commission on the overall airports programme to respond to the needs of Knock and other airports to ensure their continued growth into the future.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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I will put things in context. The Minister is very familiar with my county. Some 16% of passengers going through Knock Airport come from County Roscommon and 18% of the tourists that come through Knock Airport visit Roscommon, something which is replicated throughout the west. Knock Airport is a strategically important international airport, just like Shannon, and needs to be treated in such a manner by the Government. Can the Minister assure me that we will not have a situation like we had in March 2013, when a Finance Bill was brought before the House to deal with Shannon Airport? Knock Airport should not be ignored. On foot of that we had a report. We now want to see it, and see the joint approach by Government and the airport implemented quickly. I want the Minister to tell me the timeline for the implementation of the report. When will we see real action?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The particular elements of the report to which the Deputy referred are the subject of ongoing discussion and contact with the European Commission. I will not say anything about when I believe that might conclude for fear of compromising the work that is under way. I have to recognise the role the Commission plays, under law, in making decisions on-----

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
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Are we talking about weeks or months?

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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-----aid and support to airports. I fully understand the importance the Deputy accords to the airport and its importance to his county. I have to emphasise that importance is well understood by me and the Government. We have contributed, through plans like the Wild Atlantic Way, to the demand that is facilitating the passenger growth Knock has seen. It has had its best year ever, and I will continue to advocate very hard on its behalf and that of similar airports to ensure that the necessary support is in place for them to continue the growth we saw last year.