Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

-----and not always be negative.

On the airport, there has been ongoing engagement between the Department and Waterford Airport. An updated submission was received as late as 23 April. Some of the matters raised by the Department had been addressed. Some detail remained outstanding. I think that came in on 27 May and further detail was also provided on 2 July. A business case has to be made for the proposals because they will require a significant degree of State aid. Any plan must be supported by robust empirical evidence. The Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, will now consider this. There is a public-private aspect to this proposal and obviously, there are issues there. It is not comparable to existing State airports that have been there for decades but the Deputy is trying to make that comparison. Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports have been there for a long time.

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