Mayo TD questions 'Dublin-centric nature of government' and its 'crippling' impact on nation

A Mayo Oireachtas member has issued an urgent call on the government to improve funding and access to Ireland West Airport as part of balanced regional development away from Dublin.

He elaborated: "The focus on Dublin and the Dublin-centric nature of the government is crippling Dublin.

"In the region of 40 buses a day leave Galway city and travel to Dublin Airport. That is one operator, Citylink, which runs 40 buses. It is incredible.

"Galway city is actually in the catchment of Knock Airport. In many instances, it is easier for a person from Galway using public transport to access Dublin city and Dublin Airport than it is to access Knock Airport.

"That is a fundamental gap and fundamental issue. It is one of the reasons the full potential of Knock Airport is not being realised or utilised.

"In the region of 40% of people using Dublin Airport land at the airport and then travel west.

"The Minister for Transport's answer to that is to increase the passenger cap.

"Would it not make more sense for spatial development and to people's lives if we were to alleviate the difficulties in regional airports and address those issues?

"On so many issues, including infrastructure, traffic, housing and employment, the focus on Dublin has not only been detrimental to Dublin, the east and the next generation of families who want to build and live in Dublin.

"But it has cost the west and regional Ireland the sons and daughters of all of the families who had to leave to seek employment in Dublin.

"It has cost the people of Dublin and their children the ability to purchase homes in Dublin. We see this focus on Dublin and an instinct to put Dublin first playing out in this policy.

"I urge the minister to take the opportunities presented by Knock Airport and the other regional airports. They are there to be grasped.

"Knock Airport serves a catchment of 1.1 million people. How can those people access the airport? They do so with tremendous difficulty. That is the answer.

"We do not have rail to Knock Airport. The Minister for Transport has an opportunity to drive the western rail corridor, not just from Galway to Claremorris but on to Sligo and connecting to the airport via a shuttle bus.

"He should make Knock Airport the first airport connected by rail. These types of measures will help the people of Dublin but they will also help the people of the west."