Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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189. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he foresees an enhanced role for the regional airports in the context of business and recreational travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45640/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Aviation Policy which was published by my Department in August last acknowledges the role played by the regional airports of Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford due to a level of international connectivity that they bring to a region for the tourism and business sectors. The Policy confirms that these four airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining, position and in this regard, Exchequer supports under our new Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 for safety and security related projects and activities at these airports will be continued where appropriate. It is up to the airports being supported to exploit all opportunities in the context of business and recreational travel to expand their level of connectivity to other regions.