Urgent high-level talks sought over Mayo airport SDZ investment delays
A ‘HIGH-PERFORMANCE’ meeting is being urgently sought to finally bring investment to the strategic development zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport.
Deputy Michael Ring is insisting that State agencies and IDA Ireland come together to deliver on the commercial and economic potential of the site, which could create more than 4,000 new jobs over the coming years with a coordinated approach.
He stated: “We all need to make sure this high-profile meeting takes place with the stakeholders, IDA Ireland, and whatever State agencies have to come.
“The time has come. The land is there, the zoning is there and the commitment is there. What we need now is to get regional development and bring some balance back to the regions.”
The Westport-based TD said he is very disappointed with the progress to date due to the fact that planning and zoning are already in place.
He revealed IDA Ireland organised only one visit to the county last year by an investor and this did not inspire confidence.
“The reason the airport site is not getting the support it should is because the State does not own the land. As far as I am concerned, Mayo County Council has invested in it, as has the airport and the State. It might not be State land in name but it is State land.
“I hope that once and for all we will see IDA Ireland and other State agencies taking a serious interest in the airport.
“There is no reason bodies such as the Passport Office could not be brought down to the area. There is no reason other departments could not be decentralised to bring some of their work to rural Ireland.”
Minister of State Dara Calleary said it is a matter of enormous frustration that it has not moved on.
“The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment launched nine new regional enterprise plans in 2022 and the plan for the west includes an objective to advance the development of regional entrepreneurship and the innovation ecosystem in the region.
“Action 5 under the objective focuses on strengthening the enterprise strategy for the strategic development zone at Ireland West Airport Knock.
“When Deputy Ring was in the cabinet, he ensured the designation of Ireland West Airport Knock as a strategic development zone.
“The airport is a critical piece of enterprise-enabling infrastructure for the region and the strategic development zone designation has the potential to enhance its role significantly as a driver of regional economic development,” he said.
“We have secured up to €145 million from the European Regional Development Fund to support projects coming from the regional enterprise plans.
“The officials are working with Enterprise Ireland on developing the scheme, with the aim of announcing the first call of approximately €35 million in the coming months. This will support innovative enterprise-focused projects such as the SDZ.”
Deputy Alan Dillon has also expressed concerns over the airport investment delays.