Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I was somewhat taken aback by the comments made by the Fianna Fáil party leader, Deputy Micheál Martin, while canvassing in County Clare recently, particularly those on Ireland West Airport Knock. He seemed to take issue with the manner in which the airport has been funded, suggesting that there should be further State intervention for Shannon Airport. The airports are very significant for their regions, but my issue is with the Deputy's comments. The Clare Championreported that he stated the Government has overcame state aid issues to find ways of funding the airport at Knock. The suggestion that there was a derogation or something was pulled out of the hat is factually incorrect. Ireland West Airport Knock was funded by the Government in accordance with state aid rules. It has received more funding under Fine Gael Governments in recent years than under all the Fianna Fáíl Governments throughout its history.Deputy Martin added that Shannon Airport was of a different order to Knock. One could call this a Freudian slip but it reveals a lot. Knock Airport is quite something to us in the west and north west, particularly now that all the various councils have a stake in it.

I do not seek to diminish in any way the value of Shannon Airport to its region. I ask the Fianna Fáil leader to clarify the situation and correct the record in relation to Knock Airport. I also ask him to give a firm commitment to support Knock and to say he sees its value, as he does in the case of Shannon. I welcome the €11 million that was spent on a new runway overlay at Knock Airport. It was much needed because the airport has 800,000 passengers and is a model of efficiency, having gone from strength to strength on a shoestring. Full credit is due to the manager, Joe Gilmore, the chairman, Arthur French, and the former chairman, Joe Kennedy, and their staff. It is an outstanding airport to pass through.

I understand the significance of Shannon Airport. A few years ago, it benefited from a major package from the Government of which we in Knock were, if truth be told, quite envious. It was a €100 million debt write-off when IDA Ireland properties merged. Let Fianna Fáil go on the record with a firm commitment to Knock Airport and let its members support and welcome all the investment and work this Government has put in, rather than speaking out of two sides of their mouths, saying one thing down in Clare and then coming up to Mayo to say something else. Let us have the real truth of what Fianna Fáil policy is.