asked the Minister for Transport whether he approves in principle of the proposed extension and improvement of Carnmore airfield, Galway; if the proposal will qualify for grant support from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Carnmore Airfield (Galway) Extension.
502.
In reply to a question on this subject on 26 January 1983, I indicated that I was treating a proposal received from the Galway County Development Team regarding the development of Carnmore airfield as an application for grant assistance. In the meantime the promoters of the project have discussed the proposal with me with a view to receiving a grant to meet the full capital cost.
In view of the difficult budgetary situation and the existing commitments to other airport projects, I regret that it will not be possible to provide a grant for the Carnmore project in 1983. As regards 1984, I am unable at this stage to make any commitment for grant assistance for the project. I will, however, consider the application as sympathetically as possible, in conjunction with similar applications for other regional airport projects, in the light of evolving policy in this area and in the context of the Estimates of expenditure for 1984.