Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which regional airports are expected to continue to play a major part in the national transport network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32457/15]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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159. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he continues to review the debt affecting any of the regional airports with particular reference to the need to ensure their viability in the future and their place within the national transport infrastructure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32458/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 159 together.

My Department's recently published National Aviation Policy acknowledges the role played by the regional airports of Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford as being important because of a level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for the tourism and business sectors. That connectivity is seen as being a significant contributory factor underpinning Ireland's economic recovery and sustainable development into the future.

This Policy confirms that these four regional airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position, particularly considering the contribution they make to their regional and local economy.  As a result, the Policy provides that Exchequer support (CAPEX and OPEX) will be continued, where appropriate.  Such supports will be in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines and Ireland's 2015-2019 Regional Airports Programme.  It is up to the airports being supported to exploit all opportunities to expand their level of connectivity to other regions.   

The issue of the airports' debt is a matter for the regional airports themselves.