Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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166. 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 in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39725/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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​The National Aviation Policy ,which was published last August, 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, mainly to UK and European continental markets, that they bring to a region for the tourism and business sectors.

The new Policy confirms that these four regional airports are being given the oportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position and in this regard Exchequer supports for safety and security related projects/activities will be continued, where appropriate.  Such supports will of course be in accordance with the 2014 EU Guidelines on State aid to airports and airlines and our Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 which was approved in August by the EU Commission.