asked the Minister for Transport and Power if in view of the desirability of having Cork Airport ready to cater for the tourist traffic in 1961 he will do all in his power to ensure that it will be opened in or before May of that year.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Opening of Cork Airport.
23.
Every effort will be made to advance the opening date. The construction and equipping of the airport is a major undertaking and the opening date will be determined largely by the completion of the construction work now in progress at the site. The contract completion date for this work is 31st July, 1961, and it is too early yet for the contractor to indicate whether he expects to complete the contract before that date.
I wonder is the Minister aware of a statement by a spokesman of Aer Lingus, published in the Press, in which it was said that if the airport is not ready in the month of May, it will probably not be opened until the following year? Would it not be a pity if the airport were allowed to lie idle for a year because it was not finished a month ahead of schedule?
I am acutely aware of the necessity of opening the airport as soon as possible.