Future of Waterford Airport to be raised directly with European Commission President
Ursula Von Der Leyen to meet with Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú in Strasburg
Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú will make the case for Waterford Airport directly with the President of the European Commission Ursula Von Der Leyen at a meeting this Tuesday evening.
Ahead of the meeting, which takes place in Strasburg, Ms Ní Mhurchú confirmed that one of the first items she will raise is the reopening and funding of Waterford Airport.
According to the Fianna Fail MEP, who is a member of the EU Transport Committee, there has been prioritised investment, at EU level, in rail infrastructure on mainland Europe at the expense of regional airports such as Waterford.
“In light of the green agenda, there has been an overall reluctance by the European Commission to invest in our regional airports. This disproportionately impacts on an island like Ireland where air connectivity is vital for our rural economy. I will stress to Ms Von Der Leyen that Ireland is a special case when it comes to investing in regional airports given that we are a predominantly rural island on the periphery of Europe," she said.
Ms Ní Mhurchú, who was elected to the European Parliament in June, has again criticised Transport Minister Eamon Ryan for "dragging his heels" on the reopening of Waterford Airport claiming that he is holding the people of the South East to ransom on ideological grounds.
“I am calling on Minister Ryan to progress the investment that is on the table at Waterford Airport. Ryanair have expressed an interest in operating from Waterford Airport and now is the time to strike as Dublin airport is turning away flights. It may be his last action in office! A newly reopened Waterford airport could benefit from this crisis at Dublin airport. The keys to the airport are in the hands of Minister Ryan but he just isn’t interested.”
The Ireland South MEP is due to meet with management of Ryanair next week where she will again raise the issue of flights to and from Waterford Airport.