A former Waterford TD says a South-East Oireachtas Coalition should be established to campaign for Waterford Airport.

Matt Shanahan, who served as an Independent TD for Waterford from 2020 to 2024, likened the ongoing campaign to obtain government funding for the runway extension to the long pursuit of 24/7 cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford (UHW).

“This is fundamental infrastructure for the region,” he said.

“We are unfortunately back in the area of cardiac care, with the Department and government putting road blocks in the way of trying to deliver for the South-East.”

He added: “They want a public spending code review. It’s not required in my view. Under legislation, the government is not precluded from acting outside the recommendations of the code. This is purely a political choice and government have decided not to make it in favour of Waterford and the South-East.”

Earlier this month, the Department of Transport requested a second business case on the proposed runway extension.

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