Independent TD Noel Grealish has thrown down a gauntlet to his constituency rival, Fine Gael Sen Fidelma Healy Eames, calling on her to prevent any threat by the Government to close Galway Airport.
The Galway West TD was reacting to the recent statement by the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar that he may have to withdraw financial assistance from the State’s regional airports.
Dep Grealish said he is “extremely concerned” that this could result in the closure of Galway Airport. While he acknowledged that the airport requires “some financial assistance each year”, its closure “would have far reaching implications” for industry, employment and tourism in the region.
As a result he is calling on Sen Healy Eames to ensure Galway Airport continues to receive funding.
“Last year Sen Healy Eames launched a campaign to keep Galway Airport open emphasising the fact that it is indirectly supporting 22,000 jobs in Galway,” he said.
“I am now calling on the Senator to ensure her colleague the Minister for Transport understands the significance of the airport for employment here in Galway and continues providing financial support.”
Dep Grealish said Galway Airport is a business airport which local and multi-national companies rely on for worldwide access so “it must remain open to retain existing companies and attract new multi-nationals.”
He said that if the airport closed it would “send out the wrong signal” to multinationals located in Galway and to others looking to set up a base here.
“The Minister must recognise that the devastating economic impact of closing Galway Airport will far outweigh any savings he can make by cutting funding from his Department,” he said. “I am calling on Sen Healy Eames to ensure that this does not happen.”
Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan said he will also “seek urgent meetings” with Minister Varadkar, Junior Minister for Transport Alan Kelly, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Brendan Howlin to ensure Galway Airport continues to operate.
“The airport is too great an asset to lose as it provides almost 180 jobs for people in Galway and crucial access for multinational organisations and tourists from across the world,” he said.
“The airport is dependent on exchequer funding. Every job lost in the economy costs €20,000 so therefore it makes no sense even from a purely financial point of view for Galway Airport to close. A new affordable funding structure must be put in place.”
