Galway Independent Column - 19 January 2011

We have written many times about Galway Airport and its importance to the economic well-being of this region. We consider it to be a vital piece of infrastructure for our region and that its future and the future of investment in this region are inextricably linked.

Galway Airport is a critical piece of transport infrastructure supporting both the indigenous and international business sectors by facilitating both outbound and inbound access to and from international markets. The industrial composition of the Galway economy is unique among Irish cities in terms of the concentration of high technology industries and its extremely heavy dependence on internationally traded sectors and markets and that because of the airport’s extensive access to international ‘hub’ airports the airport continues to be a key selling point in maintaining and attracting investment into the West region.

Carmel Brennan, President of the Galway Chamber said this week that: “Galway Airport is a business airport and its existence and survival is critical for the future of the region as it makes an important contribution to supporting and creating jobs in Galway”.

That’s why we were concerned at the announcement by Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey TD, last week the discontinuation of the Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Dublin and Galway post the current PSO contract would end in July of this year.

This was coupled with the Department of Transport’s report on the “Value for Money Review of Exchequer Expenditure on Regional Airports Expenditure Programme” which effectively said that Galway Airport would close should its recommendation to cease the annual operation subvention be implemented.

As a result of both of these issues Galway Chamber, on behalf of our members, called a meeting with the Oireachtas members from Galway West and East and the Mayors of Galway City and County. The meeting was attended by Mayors Michael Crowe and Jimmy McClearn, Minister Eamon O’Cuiv, Deputies Frank Fahey, Noel Grealish, PadraicMcCormack, Cllr. Paul Connaughton and Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames.

The meeting discussed the Report, the PSO and the Operation Funding for Galway Airport. Each of the attendees gave their opinion on the situation and the outcome was clear and unambiguous support for the continuation of the Operational Funding for Galway Airport. The politicians present agreed to work together, cross party to ensure the continuation of this vital piece of western infrastructure.

We further urge all candidates in the upcoming election to include the support for Galway Airport as part of their election manifesto on behalf of the business community in Galway and the region.
As a result of the meeting the matter is now being raised at Government level on a cross party basis and we look forward to an announcement that Galway Airports Operational Funding will continue in order to ensure the future of this essential piece of infrastructure.

It is also well to remember that Galway Airport in itself provides direct employment associated with the Airport for 175 full time equivalent personnel, contributing in excess of €2 million in PAYE and PRSI to the Exchequer. Galway Airport has received written support from employers representing 15,000 employees as well as messages of support from the development agencies, IDA, EI and Udaras and the third level sector NUIG and GMIt. At a time like this when political and economic certainties are few and far between it is heartening to see this sort of cross party and inter agency support for Galway’s airport and for business in Galway.