Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

My second question has been partially answered. Why is the Department only now having an agreement with Knock airport that it is going to make a special case to the European Commission that would entitle the State to give 90% grant aid funding? This has been going on for three years, including after the study group undertaking and its report. Why has nothing been done? Knock airport requires seven local authorities to bail it out. This did not happen with Shannon, Dublin or Cork airports, or anywhere else. Knock airport is not the same as the other regional airports. The other regional airports lie close to other major airports, considering the major motorways that exist.

Why was it not done when the regional airports plan was being submitted to the European Commission? Why is it taking so long for Knock airport to be helped now that the Government seems to concede that it will work with the airport? Last July, the Government agreed with airport management on five documents that would need to be prepared, and it is being done only now. How is Knock airport being helped in a timely fashion to grow and to become self-financing? That is all we want, not to continue to receive handouts.