asked the Minister for Transport the present position regarding the development of Connacht Regional Airport.
22.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers . - Connacht Regional Airport .
21.
asked the Minister for Transport if the Government have made a decision to proceed with the development of Knock airport; and the finance that has been provided in the current Book of Estimates for the project.
: I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 22 together.
£2.7 million, which had been contractually committed before I came to office, has been provided in the 1983 Estimates for the project. This will bring the total expenditure on the project so far to £9.3 million all provided by the State. The current estimate for the further cost of completing the airport is £4.2 million, making a total of £13.5 million.
The grave Exchequer situation dictates a review of the position whereby the State is 100 per cent liable for all costs of this project. A decision on the matter will be made shortly.
: Arising from the Minister's reply, will he undertake to tell his colleague, the Minister for Health, that the Government have decided to expend the money provided by the Fianna Fáil Government on the Connacht Regional Airport?
: I would not like to debate with Deputy Wilson the question of who provided what. When I came to office £2.7 million was contractually committed and, therefore, I had no choice in the matter. I have not had an opportunity to make a decision on this project but I propose to do so in the near future.
: Will the Minister undertake to tell his colleague, Deputy Desmond, that the amount committed, namely £2.7 million, will be expended by the Government? Will he remove the doubt that exists in people's minds about it because Deputy Desmond is wont to make speeches about this as if the Government had not committed themselves to this expenditure?
: That is another question or, if not, it is argument, neither of which is permitted at Question Time.
: I want to know what the present position is.
: Is the Minister satisfied that the State, having invested money to date in this airstrip, has control over this venture?
: I am not satisfied with the history of how this has developed but I prefer to limit my comments until I make a further statement.
: Could I ask the Minister when a decision will be made?
: Could I ask the Minister what, according to the file before him, is the estimated date for the completion of the project?
: The original date for the completion of the project was April 1984 but, because of lack of funds provided, which was less than asked for, I understand that the company are now thinking in terms of a completion date nearer Easter 1985.
: The estimated time of completion now is early in 1985. Is the Minister going to make funds available to enable it to be completed by that date?
: The company have informed me that they are aiming towards a completion date of Easter 1985. The question in relation to funds is a matter which will now have to be reconsidered and I will be making a decision on that in the near future.
: The State is investing a large amount of money in this project but who actually owns this airstrip? If the State puts any more money into it or refuses to put any more money into it, who will own this strip of concrete?
: It will not be the State. I should explain to Deputy De Rossa that, although the State will have contributed every penny to this project, the State will have no equity participation in it. I am watching the situation to see how it develops.
: The remaining Questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper. Deputy Tony Gregory-Independent has been given permission to ask a Private Notice Question.