Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 145: To ask the Minister for Transport and the Marine his intended future role for the regional airports; the degree to which these are expected to be utilised having regard to the future plans for Dublin, Cork and Shannon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18337/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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The six regional airports discharge an important function within the national transport network by providing air transport access for their respective catchment areas, thereby boosting the potential for attracting inward investment and tourism business. Their activities complement the facilities provided by the State airports and help to ensure that the economic and social benefits of air transport are shared as widely as possible throughout the country.

The regional airports are currently pursuing a developmental strategy aimed at winning increased traffic levels. In order to facilitate their efforts in line with the Government's policy of encouraging balanced regional development within the framework of the National Spatial Strategy 2002-2020, my predecessor announced on 21st February last a programme of capital grants for these airports under Transport 21 and the new National Development Plan. The programme provides for grants amounting to €86 million in support of a total investment of €106 million in additional safety and security features and expanded capacity at the regional airports and I look forward to the rollout of the new facilities over the next three years.