Knock Airport - 36m Funding

A POLITICAL war of words has blown up over a report that has identified the need for 36 million to be invested in Ireland West Airport Knock over the next 10 years.

The chairman of the Fianna Fáil party on Mayo County Council said it was abundantly clear to him that none of the money will come from the exchequer, despite government claims to the contrary.

Councillor Al McDonnell stated the blueprint produced by a study group chaired by Fine Gael Deputy John O’Mahony is ‘long on detail but short on financial commitment’.

The Moorehall-based representative stated: “I am amazed how blatantly the government has displayed its lack of support for Knock airport yet dressed it up as something completely different.



“Nobody is fooled by this blueprint, which is a massive disappointment as far as I’m concerned in the aftermath of the government’s €300 million bail-out of Shannon airport earlier this year.”

However, Deputy O’Mahony insisted Knock airport has been given a very good deal and the future will prove that to be the case.

He hit back: “There were a lot of people jumping up and down a number of months ago accusing the Fine Gael-led government of undermining the future of the airport.

“But I believe the study group has produced a document which will prove the key to the facility’s development over the coming decade. The €36 million will come from a number of sources, including the exchequer, county councils and business interests

“I am very happy with the plan and what was particularly beneficial was having so many stakeholders involved in the study process. That was a really big bonus and that will be shown to be the case as the implementation of the recommendations is stepped up.

“My concern from the outset was to ensure that the contribution made by regional airports to social and economic development in peripheral locations was fairly acknowledged at a national and European level. By using IWA Knock as a reference case, I believe this has been demonstrated.”

It is understood the proposed investment will involve a restructuring of the airport debt, understood to be in the region of €10 million, and continued operational support to 2019.

Connaught Telegraph

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