Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 126: To ask the Minister for Transport his position in relation to a request from the management of Knock International Airport for an increased level of State investment to facilitate its expansion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4748/05]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The programme for Government provides for the continued support of the six regional airports including Knock Airport and my Department provides a range of financial mechanisms in support of this objective. Knock Airport benefits considerably through a range of direct and indirect support mechanisms, namely, capital grant assistance towards essential infrastructural improvements under the BMW regional operational programme of the NDP, the allocation of assistance towards marketing, safety and security related expenditure incurred by the airport and scheduled flights supported by the PSO programme.

Under the NDP capital measure, my Department has provided €2.337 million in grant-aid towards essential infrastructural improvements at the airport since December 2001. The primary purpose of the NDP measure is to provide grant assistance to facilitate the continued safe and viable operations at the airport. As to the recent expansion plans submitted by the airport company, those proposals have been evaluated in the light of the existing approach to grant assistance to regional airports. I will shortly announce the next round of capital grant allocations under the scheme.

In recognition of the role that the airport can play in stimulating more balanced economic development for the north-west, my Department will continue to assist Knock Airport as it develops into the future. However, any capital expenditure allocation of Exchequer funding to Knock and the other regional airports will be in line with the existing policy of prioritising those projects that are required for safety and security reasons.