Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 28 Jun 2001

Vol. 539 No. 3

Written Answers. - Air Services.

Ulick Burke

Question:

104 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the position regarding the provision of a new airport at Oranamore, County Galway; the progress in moving the project forward; the financial assistance which was provided by her Department towards the development of Carnmore Airport in the past three years and in 2001; if there is a plan for the future development of air transport to Galway; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19436/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

The position regarding any proposal to develop a new airport for Galway is a matter for the promoters and sponsors of any such proposal. I have received no proposal regarding a new airport at Oranmore, Co. Galway.

The long standing policy of my Department as regards the development of aviation facilities is that private interests may provide and develop airports in whatever location they wish, provided the requirements of the Irish Aviation Authority are met and planning permission is secured. It is a matter for the promoters of any such development to satisfy themselves that an airport can function as a viable commercial entity.

The Deputy will be aware that in 1998 I allocated a grant of £3.1 million to Galway Airport for a project to extend and widen the existing runway. This project has experienced a number of delays in connection with the planning process and in acquiring all of the necessary lands required for the runway extension. However, the airport authorities secured planning permission from An Bord Pleanála in April of this year and I understand the process of acquiring two remaining parcels of land is currently in train. All going well, it is anticipated that this project should be completed in the autumn.

In addition, over the four years of the 1996-99 marketing scheme, Galway Airport received a sum of £40,000 per annum to support their marketing and promotional activities. A substantially increased sum of £125,000 was made available to Galway Airport under this scheme last year.

A further provision of £1.5 million has been made available for the regional airports in my Department's Estimates this year for marketing, safety and security measures at the regional airports. The precise extent of the funding to be allocated to the airports individually is currently under consideration in my Department and I expect to be in a position to decide on the allocations in the coming weeks.

The Government has also provided a significant sum of £11 million under the national development plan for the regional airports under the seaports-airports sub-programme. Prior to Easter this year, my Department invited proposals from the regional airports and these proposals, including those from the Galway Airport authorities, are now being considered with a view to prioritising investment needs over the plan period.

As regards air transport to Galway, I increased substantially the frequency of the Galway-Dublin PSO service under the new contract with Aer Arann Express, which began in January of this year. The new frequency is 28 return flights per week compared with 21 previously, and the route is operated with a 50 seater pressurised aircraft. This increased frequency will further facilitate tourists and business people alike to access Galway and Dublin rapidly. Also, when the runway extension project is complete, the airport authorities at Galway hope to attract direct air services to other destinations.