David Cullinane: Welcomes Coast Guard, Demands Runway Action

The Irish Coast Guard is launching an enhanced air aviation service from Waterford Airport today and I want to fully support that and welcome it because obviously it's really important, an important service and we all know that the search and rescue service has huge support right across the state but particularly in the south east and we've lost unfortunately colleagues and there was tragedies in the past but it's great to see an enhanced service. But I want to raise a wider issue in relation to the airport because I think there is now a real opportunity to develop Waterford Airport. It is still a very sore point that the government dragged its feet for too long on funding a runway extension. As you know there is now a very wealthy, it seems, private investor that is going to come in with money and extend the runway and build it. We want to see that happen and if and when that happens, and I think it will very quickly, it will create huge opportunities economically as well as obviously connectivity with hopefully Britain and Europe and there will be a role for the government then to come in and support the airport. It hasn't got state funding for so long because there hasn't been commercial flights but with the enhanced service now from the Irish Coast Guard, with the runway extension hopefully they will be built. There is real opportunities and I hope when that happens the government come with money, with support and enable us to have a fit for purpose airport that I believe can transform the south east region. For a rare occasion I agree with you Deputy, I agree with everything you said there in terms of the very important work done by the Irish Coast Guard service and I too think of all of those who have lost their lives in service of others and we think of them, their families and their communities. I am really pleased to hear of the enhanced service for your community and constituency today. I do agree there is a wider issue in relation to the development of Waterford Airport. I am pleased, I am going from my memory now and a discussion, but I am pleased that reference to Waterford Airport is in the regional airport policy as well which I think is important. This is an island nation, we need to do more in terms of capacity at Dublin Airport, lifting the cap order, that's true, but we still need our regional airports and there is a real chance I think to help develop this at least if we can get this right and the government will continue to work on it.