‘Extremely frustrating’ - Ministers at odds on Waterford Airport as blame game begins

Two Waterford ministers have disagreed on who is to blame for the Government’s failure to provide funding for Waterford Airport’s runway extension.

Minister Mary Butler (FF) and Minister John Cummins (FG) both spoke on WLRFM’s Déise Today last week.

They were speaking amid the recent announcement of a €30 million private investment deal to extend the airport’s runway.

The deal came after the airport board’s bid to receive government funding for the project was hit by several delays.

Speaking on the programme, Minister Butler said she was “happy with the progress that has been made”, but expressed frustration at the government’s failure to fund the project.

READ NEXT: New Waterford estate developing rapidly as creche and 95 more homes to be added

The Government Chief Whip said that herself and Minister Cummins worked very closely together to advocate for the funding but that they “were struggling to get it over the line”, which was “extremely frustrating”.

When host Damien Tiernan said that “the Government were no help in achieving this positive outcome”, Minister Butler responded by saying she “could take that on the chin”.

She went on to say that she believes that Department of Transport officials think “we have enough airports in Ireland”.

“I always felt that the aviation sector within the Department of Transport was not supportive of this,” she added.

Despite her frustration, Minister Butler welcomed what she described as “a phenomenal investment” and expressed hope for the future of the airport.

Meanwhile, Minister Cummins, speaking on the same programme the following day, spoke of his frustrations from a different perspective.

Minister Cummins denied that there was an unwillingness within the Department of Transport to fund the project.

He said that extending the airport’s runway was “government policy”, given it was included in the Programme for Government.

Minister Cummins: “I would like everything delivered in year one in the Programme for Government but it is a five year Programme for Government.

“That process [the airport business case] was going to take approximately 12 months. That to me was frustrating.

“The airport then chose to go the private investment route rather than go through that 12 month process, which the department was willing to assist the airport with.”

Minister Cummins went on to explain what the issue was with the airport business case from the Government’s perspective.

In 2019, the Government approved a €12 million deal to extend the airport’s runway, with €5 million to be provided by private investment, €5 million by the State and €2m by local authorities.

However, Minister Cummins said that “there was a clear line in that 2019 decision that anything over and above €12 million would be borne by the promoters”.

So, from the Department of Transport’s perspective, the business case submitted in December 2023 was a “different proposal because the quantums of money were different and it would have to go through the public spending code”.

Minister Cummins once again denied that the department was opposed to the development. As evidence of this claim, he said that there was “an offer of support there” which related to Cork Airport documents.

Minister Cummins said that Cork Airport’s overlay project “went through the exact same procurement”, so documents from that project were provided “to assist with the process”.

Minister Cummins insisted that the Government would continue to engage with the airport on its future development.

He added that his primary focus now when it comes to the airport will be on securing route development and operational funding.

The Fine Gael TD concluded by saying he “has always been a big believer in this proposal” and congratulated the airport board on securing the private investment.