The Taoiseach has said that it is his personal commitment that the government will match private funding for Waterford Airport.
Responding to questions in the Dail from Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan, Leo Varadkar outlined he feels that there is no political resistance to the long-awaited runway extension.
Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan has previously cast doubt on the viability of funding another regional airport - but the Taoiseach says the intention to develop remains.
Deputy Shanahan asked: "It appears the enthusiasm you expressed to me recently in this house to invest in Waterford Airport is not supported by your two government partners. Minister Ryan received the airport business case on December 13th and signed a PQ response to me on January 11th stating that, despite his amnesia around the matter, he has let it be known that he has zero appetite for this project, with the Tanaiste prominent in his support of Cork Airport, but unfortunately he loses all interest in capital spending once it heads east of the Dunkettle Interchange. (0:32) Your recently stated support for the project needs to be made real Taoiseach, this means committing your power and influence to ensure the business case is properly considered. Do you support the political resistance dressed up as bureaucratic bungling jeopardising this project delivery, and will you commit that a project decision will be agreed upon in time to meet the 2024 BCH?"
"I don't honestly believe there's political resistance to this", responded the Taoiseach. "Certainly not from the Tanaiste, and I know Minister Butler, Deputy O'Cathasaigh, Senator Cummins - they have all been on to me about this important matter. The business case has been received, it's being examined, I believe department officials may have met with the airport last week because they had some further questions about it. The commitment made by the previous government of which I was the leader was that we would match the investment 50-50 and it's certainly my personal intention and desire that that commitment should be honoured."
