asked the Minister for Transport when he expects Knock Airport to be completed in accordance with the pre-election commitments of the Government; and the total cost of the project.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Connaught Regional Airport.
9.
Work on the construction of the Connaught Regional Airport will continue as planned by the airport development company. The company have indicated that they will not require any increase on the existing Exchequer allocation of £4.35 million this year. Expenditure up to the end of the present contract for earth moving is estimated at £6.6 million. A further £5.6 million will be required to complete the project thus bringing the total cost to £12.2 million. It is expected that the airport will be completed in 1984.
Can the Minister tell me if the expenditure of £12.5 million is for a 6,000 foot runway or a 7,500 foot runway?
I understand it is the longer runway.
Would the Minister elaborate? Would he confirm it is for the 7,500 foot runway?
The Deputy mentioned two runways. I said it is the longer one.
(Interruptions.)
Would the Minister envisage when the Knock Airport is completed that other regional airports, such as Shannon and Cork, which are at present experiencing great difficulty, will experience even greater losses due to the provision of this airport?
I would not accept that the provision of this airport will damage any other airport in any way. I am having a look at the whole situation with regard to regional airports at the moment.
Is the Minister prepared to place in the Library of the Houses of the Oireachtas the report of the consultants engaged by the airport company, and the inter-departmental report on the feasibility of the consultants' report?
As I am not au fait with the two documents I could not answer that as of now.
(Interruptions.)
I am calling the next question.
I wish to ask a further supplementary.