John Cummins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In July 2020, the board of Waterford Airport made an application to lengthen the runway by 491 m at the northern end, and 363 m to the southern end, and to widen it from 30 m to 45 m, which would facilitate the landing of Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. It is an essential component to the future development of the airport. The Government also decided at Cabinet to support this with €5 million in capital support from the State, to be matched by €5 million in private investment and €2 million from the local authorities. As I said, that application was made in July 2020. A decision is due to be issued by An Bord Pleanála in February 2021. We are now in February 2022 and a decision has not yet been issued by An Bord Pleanála. It is wholly unacceptable that such critical and strategic infrastructure would be held up in An Bord Pleanála for such a lengthy period. I am slow to criticise the board, and I appreciate that it has been inundated with applications, particularly for strategic housing developments that it has had to prioritise. This is critical infrastructure and I ask that a decision made urgently by An Bord Pleanála to allow the airport board progress with investment plans it has for the airport. You cannot consider locking down and finalising investment proposals with a private investment if you does not have certainty in planning.

I am sure that all Members will join me in condemning the vile racist abuse experienced recently by cast and crew of The Lion Kingwhen they were going home to their accommodation after performing a fantastic production at the Bord Gáis Energy theatre. It is absolutely unacceptable in this day and age that people who bring so much joy with their performances to individuals and families right across this country, would be subject to such racist abuse. We should all condemn it in the strongest terms possible.