An MEP for Ireland South has responded to what she has called "ill-informed" remarks from Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary in relation to Waterford Airport.
Fianna Fáil's Cynthia Ní Mhurchú was speaking to WLR after Mr O'Leary branded those seeking to extended the runway "local lunatics".
"I'm dismissing his comments that the airport is not commercially viable as ill-informed," she said.
"Michael O'Leary is not on the ground in Waterford like I am so lacks any real understanding of the opportunities that are at Waterford Airport. There are over 5,000 airlines in the world - many of them would jump at the chance to operate flights to and from Waterford Airport and we will be speaking with many of them. "
She acknowledged the Ryanair CEO often speaks "off the cuff".
"That's his unique selling point," she said. "Sometimes I enjoy the comments he makes but in this particular case I think he is ill-informed."
However, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said she welcomes Mr O'Leary's interest in operating "one or two flights to London".
“That would be an enormous boost for the region to be connected with a global capital such as London. I see that as an excellent start for a small regional airport like Waterford,” she said.
She continued: "The 2025 programme for government has expressly committed to funding Waterford Airport. This is because there is a strong business case for the development of the airport."
Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said she believes there are also additional revenue sources for the airport, including as a location for the National Aerospace Academy and as a hub for the development and roll out of new sustainable aviation fuels.
She told WLR she plans on meeting with new Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien shortly.
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