Noel Grealish (Galway West, Independent)
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Question 664: To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has made a decision regarding Galway Airport; if funding will be provided to keep Galway Airport open beyond the end of 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27439/11]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I announced last June that I had secured Government approval for additional funding to be made available to all six regional airports in 2011, including Galway and Sligo, reversing the cut in funding made by the last Government. However, the Government also decided that it would not be able to provide operational or capital funding to Galway or Sligo airports from 2012 onwards.

This decision is necessary to make best use of scarce Exchequer resources and to ensure the efficient use of taxpayers' money. The Government is aware of the implications for both Galway and Sligo Airports in making this decision. Clearly, in the current economic difficulties, it is not business as usual and unpopular decisions must be made. I believe that in continuing to support the other four regional airports beyond 2011, we will ensure that Ireland has a sufficient network of regional airports, while taking into account significant improvements in the road network, shorter journey times by road and rail and the reduction in passengers flying domestically.

Galway and Sligo Airports, as privately owned entities, were encouraged to use the opportunity provided by the additional funding in 2011 to engage with various parties, including business interests, investors and local authorities, to secure their ongoing viability in some form. My Department is working with those airports ensure the close out of Exchequer support in an orderly way.