Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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418. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which regional airports are expected to continue to play a major part on the national transport network in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23081/16]

Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent)
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​The National Aviation Policy, published by my Department last August, acknowledges the role played by the regional airports in Donegal, Ireland West Airport Knock, Kerry and Waterford as being important in promoting a level of international connectivity to support the tourism and business sectors in their regions. The Policy also confirms that these four airports are being given the opportunity to grow to a viable, self-sustaining position. In this regard, Exchequer support under the Regional Airports Programme 2015-2019 for safety and security projects and activities at these airports will be continued where appropriate. As the Deputy will be aware, an additional €10 million is provided in the Programme for Government for the regional airports. This is additional to the €28 million which was already provided for this purpose in the Capital Plan 2016 to 2022 and will enhance my Department's ability to support the four airports under the Regional Airports Programme.

It is of course a matter for the airports themselves to exploit all potential opportunities to develop air services at their facilities.