Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the Government support that has existed in recent years. I was closely involved in ensuring - in conjunction with the Minister's predecessors - that grant assistance was in place for the past five years. I am also conscious of the efforts of the Minister of State, Deputy Halligan, and am working with him on this matter. I know that this is also a matter of deep interest to my colleague, Senator Grace O'Sullivan, who is present in the House. We, as Oireachtas Members from Waterford and the south-east region, want to work with the Minister. He is correct that the board of management and the management team at Waterford Airport have already undertaken big advances in terms of obtaining compulsory purchase orders on land for the runway extension. They have the support of the local authorities in the region, which have put their money where their mouth is to support the airport. They are also actively out there with business and commercial interests raising funding to ensure that this runway extension is delivered.

Having said that, we still need support from the Minister and his Department. He is right in saying that this is not just about the balance sheet. This concerns the knock-on economic benefits that access brings to a region. I have mentioned some of the jewels in the crown in the Waterford area. They are to be found throughout the south east. Ireland's Ancient East is a programme that is being run by the Minister and his Department. Waterford city and county, as well as the region, will play a major role in emulating, in a different way, the economic benefit the Wild Atlantic Way has brought to the west. We need to do the same in the east and south east and Waterford Airport is a critical component in that effort.

We look forward to working with the Minister to try to advance what are not just local interests but regional and national interests also for the benefit of the economic activity of our regions. As my colleague has said and as many colleagues in this House will continue to say, we need to develop critical infrastructure in our regions if we are going to lock their inherent potential.