Tipperary councillors pass motion requesting funding for development of Waterford Airport

A motion asking for the Tipperary County Council’s Plenary Council to write to the Minister for Transport seeking support and additional investment for Waterford Airport, has been passed by councillors at Tipperary County Councils June meeting.

Tipperary Live reports that Carrick-on-Suir Municipal District councillors have started a political lobbying campaign with this motion, to pressure the Government to fund Waterford Airport’s vital runway extension.

At the meeting held on Monday June 9, Carrick MD councillors discussed the motion asking for additional support and investment for the airport.

Cllr Kieran Bourke proposed the motion and told the meeting that small money is required to develop Waterford Airport. “It’s an airport where 737 aircraft can take off and land. To allow the South East to develop I believe the local authority must give support to the committee who are trying to get Waterford Regional Airport upgraded to a proper airport.”

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Cllr David Dunne seconded the motion saying that “Cllr Bourke outlines the importance of Waterford Airport. To me Waterford Airport is the hub of regional balance. If you’re bringing over a CEO from any company, they don’t want to go to and from Dublin, an hour and a half down the motorway, to get to their factory. For industry, for tourism, for everything, it’s essential that we have that airport up and running properly.”

Cllrs Kieran Bourke (FF), Michael ‘Chicken’ Brennan (Lab), Cllr David Dunne (SF), Cathaoirleach Cllr Mark Fitzgerald (FG) and Cllr Amy Goldsboro (FF) tabled the same motion at the meeting held on Monday, where it was also unanimously passed.

A written request from Tipperary County Council for this funding will now be winging its way to the Minister’s office.

The political pressure comes in the wake of Waterford Airport being overlooked in the allocation of almost €8m Regional Airports Programme funding in May. Knock, Kerry and Donegal airports all secured funding for capital developments.

Cllr Dunne pointed out that the money needed to achieve this goal was small money when compared to the recent Capital Development Plan for Cork Airport which received an investment of €200 million recently.

Cllr Siobhan Ambrose highlighted the importance that the airport would have for South Tipperary in terms of connectivity and tourism.