asked the Minister for Transport if the Government have decided to build regional airports in the West of Ireland and Donegal; if so, the location in each case; the progress made to date; and when they will be operative.
Written Answers. - Regional Airports.
1.
I would refer the Deputy to the Government's Investment Plan 1981 which indicated that the Government have decided on a programme of small airports to serve particular regions. As stated in the investment plan an airport is at present under construction at Sligo and Waterford and two further airports are planned for the West and North West, one in County Mayo and the other in County Donegal.
Work on the first stage of the development of the Sligo Airport, which is situated near Strandhill, began in November 1980 and is expected to take up to 1½ years to complete. It is hoped that the new runway facility will be completed by the end of April 1981.
In so far as the proposed new airport for County Mayo is concerned I would refer the Deputy to the reply which I gave on 17 December 1980 to a parliamentary question tabled by Deputy Robby Molloy on the subject.
In relation to County Donegal, a site at Big Isle near Letterkenny has been selected and negotiations regarding the acquisition of the necessary land are at an advanced stage. Pending completion of these negotiations I am not in a position to indicate when construction work will begin or when the proposed airport will become operative.