Galway Independent Column - 6th October 2010

In 1980 a brave group of people in Galway made a brave decision. They raised money and developed a regional airport. Since 1982 business in Galway has directly benefited from this decision. We have welcomed companies such as Boston Scientific, Hewlett Packard, Medtronic, APC, Cisco and Nortel among others.
The availability of an airport in Galway was a factor in the decision by these companies to set up in Galway and it is a factor in their decisions to stay here. These companies employ over 12.000 people in the Galway area and have been a backbone of our business based since they first opened their doors.
The whole issue of funding for regional airports is hugely important for Galway and Galway Airport. Coming up to Budget time, the Cabinet is to discuss the future of Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) routes and whether or not they should be renewed. A €2 million operational grant for six airports along the west coast is up for renewal at the end of this year and a separate €15m a year is provided by the state through the PSO routes. This was reported in the media on the same day that it was announced that Metro North work is to begin in Dublin next Spring at an estimated completion cost of €5 billion…that’s a lot of money.
General Manager of Galway Airport Joe Walsh has said that without Government support Galway Airport will have significant challenges. In a recent survey carried out by Galway Airport among businesses in the region, more than 80% said that air accessibility was essential to their location in the West.
Galway Chamber made this point to Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation. Batt O'Keeffe, T.D at a recent meeting in Dublin. We put it to the Minister that by putting our Airport in jeopardy we are putting the next generation of Boston Scientifics, Hewlett Packards, Medtronics, APCs, Ciscos, Nortels et al in jeopardy also. When air accessibility is on the checklist for one of these type of companies in their location search are we automatically excluding Galway from consideration if we don’t have air access? Are we going to disqualify ourselves before they even come to visit? And of course our indigenous companies have travel needs also. On any given day on a flight to Dublin you will bump into people who are travelling to Dubai, the Far East, Europe and the US seeking out new business and new markets. It is the Government’s own view that our economic recovery will be export led.
So, yes, we are all aware of and welcome the fact that the road network has been immeasurably improved but on many occasion business wishes to air connect from Galway to their final destination using Dublin or any other hub. Surely in this day and age that should be an option?