Sinn Féin TD for Waterford David Cullinane has strongly criticised the Taoiseach’s defence of further delays to the decision on funding the runway extension at Waterford Airport.

Deputy Cullinane raised the need for funding approval for the airport with the Taoiseach again this week.

He said: “The Government’s excuses for continued delays to funding for Waterford Airport are unconvincing and deeply frustrating. Last July I was told that the Department had received the ‘full information to decide on the matter,’ but now we are told that a new business case is being sought which brings us back to square one.”

He continued: “Every time I raise the need for funding for the runway extension, the Government says they support it and note it is in the Programme for Government, but six years on from agreeing to this in principle they have still not provided the funding. We have been listening to promises and delays since 2019. It is deeply frustrating to see funding awarded to airports in Cork, Dublin, and across the State, but Waterford is left behind.

‘Lack of political will’

Deputy Cullinane criticised what he described as “a lack of political will” on the issue.

“No project takes this long for an approval. No other airport funding has had to jump through all of these hoops. The only difference is a clear lack of political will, leading to delays, dithering, and, frankly, gaslighting from Government Ministers who won’t step up to the mark and give Waterford a fighting chance.”

This week marked 40 years since Ryanair’s first scheduled service took to the skies  – a route from Waterford Airport to London Gatwick.

Also this week, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary described Waterford Airport as not having any “commercial proposition”.

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