Waterford public left with ‘begging bowls out’ as Taoiseach backs Kerry Airport

The Waterford public have to get their “begging bowls out” every time a Government minister visits the county, a former TD has said.

Independent Matt Shanahan was reacting to Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s attendance at the official opening of Kerry Airport’s new terminal building.

During his speech at the ceremony, the Taoiseach emphasised the Government’s support for the project.

Mr Martin said: “Kerry Airport acts as an economic driver for the region and has a major impact on the social and economic infrastructure of the surrounding area.

“State investments are essential for the continued delivery of a safe and efficient service at Kerry Airport, while representing major backing for rural Ireland that helps to sustain jobs and create new ones.

READ NEXT: Third river crossing to be explored amid ‘huge increase’ in traffic in Waterford city

“Kerry Airport acts as an economic driver for the region and has a major impact on the social and economic infrastructure of the surrounding area.”

Mr Shanahan reacted to these comments in a post on Facebook, saying that the people of Waterford “might be interested” to hear them.

He asked the public to “reflect on the speech while taking out the word ‘Kerry’ and replacing it with the word ‘Waterford’ and change every positive statement to a negative”.

“You now have the Government’s talking points about funding the Waterford Airport development,” he added.

Mr Shanahan went on to ask the public to consider the groups that are already operating out of the airport.

He stated: “And for further comparison, consider what Waterford Airport has and Kerry does not?

“A private flying club with a fleet of Cessna aircraft and a flight training school AFT which has training aircraft on site and has trained over 500 student pilots since 2021.

“Add on top of this the permanent South East 24/7 Search & Rescue R1117 Helicopter Base and now consider - we can’t attract state investment!”

The former independent TD outlined his confusion as to why Waterford has failed to attract this state investment.

“It seems that just like our hospital, like our university, private money is most welcome to develop Waterford - just don’t expect the Government to contribute.

“Capital investment to stimulate city and county game-changers are not available to us for unexplainable reasons and have not been for years, without significant political pressure applying.”

He continued by highlighting the visits of a number of senior Government ministers, including the Taoiseach, to Waterford in recent weeks.

Mr Shanahan said: “Every one of them has visited this city and county with their hands hanging, and every time, we in Waterford continue to receive them.

“We politely wait in line with our begging bowls out, hoping for a semblance of promised fairness and political delivery, none of which is in evidence, based on any comparative economic assessment.”

He concluded by claiming that the new Programme for Government has already “counted out” Waterford.

He stated: “The delivery of long fought for hospital and 3rd level investment in the last Programme for Government are now well past talking about.

“The new programme, it appears, has counted us out already, despite the vigorous changes we made in our national representation.

“One could wonder where next the finger of blame should point as we undergo another five years of investment doldrums?”

The Taoiseach officially opened the new arrivals hall at Kerry Airport on November 17.

The facility includes an enhanced immigration and customs areas, a larger baggage belt, improved bathrooms and a modernised public foyer.

The project cost €5 million and was funded entirely by Kerry Airport itself.

This year is set to be another record year for the airport, after recording the second and third highest passenger numbers in its history in 2023 and 2024.