Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Top of the agenda for the next term should be an invitation to the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross, to come into the House. Many important and critical topical issues pertaining to his Department need to be debated including, in particular, delays in proceeding towards the second runway at Dublin Airport. I was listening to Mr. Michael O'Leary yesterday on "Today with Sean O'Rourke". Here is a man who wants to grow his business describing utter frustration at what would seem, one year along, to be no progress on noise issues that must be sorted out for the second runway to proceed. Mr. O'Leary was setting out his plans to grow the number of flights into the airport and the need for it. In addition, while we have ambitions to have Dublin Airport as a hub, especially on account of Brexit, how are we going to do that if we are not getting out of the traps at all?

While I am at it, just to add to that, we also have a fine airport in the west of Ireland, Ireland West Airport Knock. It is also in need of State investment in runway overlay, an extended apron and hangarage. This is pertinent in the context of the challenges we face with Brexit, our peripherality, connectivity, emigration, growing tourism and the economic growth of the area.I would like to have the Minister, Deputy Ross, in to discuss-----