John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

15. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects to publish the new aviation policy to include regional airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54159/13]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The new national aviation policy will outline the actions to be taken by Government to help sustain and develop the aviation sector, in order to create jobs and facilitate business and tourism. A total of 74 submissions were received as part of the public consultation process that took place earlier this year. The number and quality of the submissions received is encouraging and demonstrates the strong interest there is in shaping future aviation policy. The next step will be the publication of a draft National Aviation Policy Statement early in the New Year. There will be a further opportunity for stakeholder input at that point and I expect that the final policy document will be published in the first half of 2014. A number of the submissions focused on the regional airports and the views expressed will be taken into account in the review process. The recently completed work of the Study Group on Ireland West Airport Knock will also provide input into the policy.

This week the Report of the Study Group was brought to Government. I informed my colleagues that, mindful of the current financial position of the regional airports and of the valuable contribution they make, my Department now intends to develop a framework for approval by the EU Commission, in respect of State support for regional airports, for implementation at the end of the current programme of support (i.e. from 2015). It is envisaged that this new programme will run until 2025.

In the case of capital expenditure (CAPEX), any Exchequer support, in line with EU guidelines, will be limited to safety and security related expenditure and require clear business plans and matching regional (Local Authorities and business) investment as well. The regional airports now need to develop business plans for their on-going sustainability and long-term sustainability without Exchequer support in line with EU State aid guidelines. 

The Action Programme for Effective Local Government Putting People First published in October 2012 focuses on the widening of the role of Local Government particularly in the context of supporting local and community development. The greater involvement by local authorities in the oversight of supports for regional airports would be consistent with the general direction of the Programme and I intend to engage with my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government on this matter.