Vol. 403 No. 5
10 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if an application for grant aid has been received from Abbeyshrule Airport, County Longford; if he has commissioned or intends to commission, a viability study for the airport; and if his attention has been drawn to its potential in expanding the tourist trade to the midlands.
I received an application from Abbeyshrule Airport for grant assistance from EC Structural Funds under the Operational Programme on Peripherality towards the cost of developing Abbeyshrule Airport. The application contained, inter alia, the tourism benefits to the region anticipated by the promoters.
The operational programme as approved by the EC Commission does not permit funding for any non-State airports other than the existing six regional airports.
The question of a viability study for the airport is a matter for the owners of the airport.
Would the Minister not agree that because Abbeyshrule Airport has been in existence for over 40 years — it is not one of the new airports coming on stream — that it was perhaps overlooked on those grounds? The population in that area is in excess of the population in the areas of some of the airports which have been funded, for example, Galway, Connaught, Sligo and Farranfore. The population in the periphery of Abbeyshrule Airport is much higher. There is a thriving flying school at this airport which could benefit from an expansion of the airport. In addition, they have a marvellous aircraft maintenance section which could also benefit from an expansion of the airport. The Minister has not addressed the impact this airport could have on the development of tourism in the area. As the Minister knows——
Please, Deputy McGrath, that should be adequate.
The problem today in aviation relates to aeroplanes and not airports. We can build airports in every county and make a case for them but given the economics in aviation the problem will be in getting airlines. We have just dealt with questions which relate to the decision taken by Aer Lingus to cease operating from Knock Airport. This means the airport is down to one company, Ryanair——
What what about the Los Angeles route which is very important?
All these matters have to be taken into consideration. When I met the group I listened sympathetically to them and discussed the matter with them. I was not able to offer them any hope for the near future in this regard. The Deputy made the point that the airport has been in existence for 40 years. The promoters in their study said that the airport is in the wrong place and they would like to start afresh and build it two miles down the road. The EC would not support such a proposal and in the current climate I would have difficulty in doing so myself.
Does that mean that if the airport was to apply for funding under the integrated rural development scheme to Europe the Minister would not support their application?
I do not see any State or EC funding being made available for Abbeyshrule Airport at this point.
Question No. 11, please.
Can I take it from the Minister's reply that he is ruling out the possibility of a regional airport for the midlands? The Minister said that there are six regional airports. It seems the Minister is very biased towards a large part of the country. I should like the Minister to comment whether there are any overriding influences against providing a regional airport in the midlands.
I am sorry that we are having an extension of this question which deals specifically with Abbeyshrule Airport, County Longford. Let us have another question, please.
A Cheann Comhairle——
Question No. 11 has been called.
I do not think you are being fair, a Cheann Comhairle——
Please, Deputy Belton.
I was referring to what the Minister said.
I am sorry, Deputy, but the Chair is concerned with the subject matter of the question only.
Abbeyshrule is in Longford and Longford is in the midlands.
My wife comes from Athlone.
Abbeyshrule is in the midlands. Is that not correct?
You are the Cheann Comhairle and there is no point in being sorry as you have the power to deal with these things. With all due respect, you should not say you are sorry——
If the Deputy is dissatisfied with my action or the Minister's reply he has a remedy.
You said you were sorry, Sir, so obviously you are dissatisfied with your own action.
I like to be courteous to Members of this House——
So do I.
——and we get abuse in respect of it.
No——
I am surprised at the Deputy.
I am surprised at the Ceann Comhairle.
Question No. 11.
