Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It would be helpful if the Minister of State could do that. I would appreciate it if the Minister could meet Senator Ó Donnghaile and I to discuss this issue. I ask the Minister and Minister of State to meet the board and management of City of Derry Airport. The Minister of State mentioned Donegal Airport in Carrickfinn, which is a fine airport that should be supported. However, if one looks at people in Inishowen, one can see that Belfast is closer to them than Carrickfinn so the geography is obvious. This is why 150,000 people in Donegal use City of Derry Airport every year - 40% of all its passengers.

The Government is not being asked to fully fund a PSO. It is being asked to co-fund it with the British Government. The airport's proposition to the Irish Government is a really good deal. It does not just involve investing in the transport infrastructure but investing in the tourism infrastructure. If we talk about the Causeway Coastal Route and the Wild Atlantic Way, a big vision for people in Donegal, Derry, Tyrone and the north west involves connecting those two very successful tourist links and having a vision for the region. Investment by the Irish Government in City of Derry Airport would be very positive and productive financially.

I welcome the Minister of State's commitment to meet Senator Ó Donnghaile and I but I ask him to also meet the board and management of the airport. I believe that when he hears what they have to say, the Government will invest in that airport. It is our responsibility and the right thing to do.