Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 16 Apr 1997

Vol. 477 No. 6

Written Answers. - Knock International Airport.

Patrick J. Morley

Question:

125 Mr. Morley asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the proposals, if any, he has made or intends to make to the Department of Finance to more fully utilise the potential of Knock International Airport for the development of industry and job creation in the west and north west regions where so many more job opportunities than are currently being provided are badly needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10111/97]

Minister for Enterprise and Employment (Mr. R. Bruton)

I have made no proposals to the Department of Finance in relation to Knock International Airport, and have no immediate plans to do so.

However, the industrial development agencies under my remit, such as Forbairt, IDA Ireland and the county enterprise boards, are regionally based so as to give an added impetus to the development of indigenous firms and attraction of overseas companies to regionally dispersed locations around the country. I have described in detail in this House in recent times the importance I and the Government attach to getting an equitable spread of new investments around the country.

Forbairt views the development of Knock International Airport as a key element of the infrastructural development of the west and north-west of Ireland. The development of transport infrastructure helps both Irish and overseas owned companies located in these regions to overcome the real and perceived disadvantages of their peripheral locationvis-á-vis the European market. This applies to the accessibility of the area for key management and marketing personnel as well as for the transport of raw materials and finished products.

For its part, IDA Ireland has had discussions with local interests regarding developments at Knock International Airport. Provision of suitable facilities at Knock would make the location more attractive for airport-related businesses. IDA Ireland's view is that a successful air freight service operating out of Knock would assist in promoting overseas investment in Mayo and the north-west generally.