Fianna Fáil TD for Waterford Mary Butler has strongly criticised certain commentary following the announcement of a funding allocation for Waterford Regional Airport. The airport is currently home to the Irish coastguard helicopter along with a number of private planes.
Deputy Butler explained, “Communities across the south east region have been campaigning for investment in Waterford Regional Airport since commercial flights ceased in 2016 with the collapse of VLM’s parent company. Since then, competitiveness has been an issue, and investment in the airport was seen as a key growth opportunity.
“Local authorities in Waterford, Kilkenny and Wexford have been working alongside private investors such as Coolmore Stud, Dawn Meats and Glanbia to develop a business plan for the airport. They agreed to provide €7m in funding if the State made €5m available to extend and widen the runway. The fact that this funding has now been agreed is a huge boost for the region.
“This runway extension will allow larger aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus aircraft to operate commercial flights in and out of the airport and will provide better route opportunities for the region.
“This is an important investment for Waterford and the South East, and I was very disappointed by some of the commentary following the investment announcement. The regions have been neglected by Fine Gael and its Dublin centric policies over the past eight years. This announcement should be welcomed rather than condemned and attacked. Fianna Fáil has been pushing the balanced regional development agenda and I very much welcome the fact that Waterford airport’s potential has finally been recognised.
“It’s time for the naysayers both nationally and locally to give this fantastic opportunity the green light and pull together for Waterford and the South East”, concluded Deputy Butler.
