asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will establish a modern airport at Oranmore, County Galway; and, if not, why.
Written Answers. - County Galway Airport.
261.
The three State airports—Shannon, Dublin and Cork— already provided have adequate capacity for substantial expansion of traffic. They continue to be operated at a heavy annual loss and it is not my intention to establish any further State airports for the foreseeable future.
Aerodrome facilities for small aircraft, in particular the Aran Islands service, are provided by the licensees of Oranmore aerodrome. The manoeuvring area of this aerodrome has a grass surface which restricts operations in prolonged wet weather conditions and during such conditions Shannon Airport has to be used. The licensees have plans for installing a hard surface runway. My Department are affording technical advice to the licensees and I understand that the question of a grant towards the capital cost from the Special Regional Development Fund administered by the Minister for Finance is at present under examination.