Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 27 Mar 2001

Vol. 533 No. 3

Written Answers. - Regional Airports.

Austin Deasy

Ceist:

105 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will immediately meet with the board of Waterford Airport to discuss their financial difficulties to ensure that the airport remains in operation as a viable entity. [8807/01]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke)

The situation regarding Waterford Airport was addressed in detail on my behalf by my colleague, Deputy Jacob, Minister for State, on the Adjournment of Tuesday, 20 March 2001.

The board of Waterford Airport has not requested a meeting with me but I would be happy to meet with board members if they wish. I should point out, however, that the position as outlined in the House last week remains unchanged. While my Department will continue to provide support to assist the regional airports with their marketing and promotional activities, it is not appropriate to provide direct operational subsidies to sustain airport operations.

In view of the continuing financial difficulties of Waterford Airport, I have made it clear that I am prepared to allocate £165,000 in marketing support this year to the airport. However, the airport authorities have indicated that they need support of the order of £500,000 this year and indeed annually in order to maintain operations. This level of assistance amounts to an ongoing operational subsidy, which, as I said, is not appropriate within Government policy of financial support for the regional airports.

Indeed, the level of marketing support which I am prepared to offer to Waterford Airport this year is proportionately more than that available to the other regional airports when account is taken of the scale of operations at these airports. In both 1999 and 2000, Waterford Airport also benefited disproportionately from my Departments marketing support fund in recognition of their financial difficulties.