Waterford Airport Project: Minister Lawless Aims to Address Concerns and Explore Options
Junior Transport Minister James Lawless has issued a detailed statement addressing concerns surrounding the Waterford Airport project appraisal. Following his previous comments in the Dáil comparing the business case to “buying a pig in a poke,” and suggesting the region is well-served in terms of transport, Minister Lawless now seeks to clarify his position and encourage further engagement.
Government Support for Regional Airports & Openness to the Waterford Project
In his statement, Minister Lawless emphasizes his commitment to expanding air connections and developing regional airports as key parts of Government policy to spread growth across the regions. He highlights the support of colleagues like Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler for the Waterford Airport project. Minister Lawless also reiterates his willingness to engage with stakeholders to advance the proposal.
“My door is open if representatives from Waterford Airport wish to engage with me directly on any of the matters concerning the airport,” he stated. “I want to give the project the best possible hearing and the recent debate has prompted significant engagement, which I welcome and which was perhaps lacking up to now.”
Challenges and Proposed Next Steps
While acknowledging the importance of connectivity to the southeast, Minister Lawless points to weaknesses in the existing business case submitted by Waterford Airport. He cites a decline in passenger traffic between 2009 and 2016, and emphasizes the need for robust evidence of future demand and industry commitment before considering runway extension.
However, Minister Lawless also recognizes that the existing runway can facilitate propeller plane services as are successfully operated at other airports. He suggests Waterford Airport could commence these scheduled flights without any runway extension or significant new investment, potentially qualifying for existing State support.
Moving forward, Minister Lawless proposes that Waterford Airport submit a Preliminary Business Case in line with the Infrastructure Guidelines (previously known as the Public Spending Code). A detailed demand analysis would be crucial in this next stage.
Aligning with State Spending Priorities
Ultimately, Minister Lawless stresses his commitment to scrutinizing proposals involving taxpayers’ money. He emphasizes that his open mind and positive outlook for the project are contingent on receiving a detailed and compelling business case from Waterford Airport.
“I want to give this project the best possible chance of success. The best possible way to do this is for stakeholders to engage on the detail. I am inviting all of the stakeholders to avail of this opportunity,” concluded Mr. Lawless.
Stay updated on the latest developments regarding the Waterford Airport project. Follow your local news sources and engage in the conversation about the future of air connectivity in the southeast region.