asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he is aware that private enterprise is prepared to provide all the capital and facilities necessary for an airport at Cork and whether in view of the fact that helicopters will shortly be used for comparatively short flights, he will now consider granting a permit for scheduled flights from Cork in the event of suitable facilities being provided.

All the relevant factors were considered before the Government reached their decision to provide at Cork a State airport suitable for internal, cross-Channel and European scheduled air services. I am satisfied that the requisite facilities for scheduled services cannot be provided in any other way.

Is the Minister prevented by some international agreement from giving permission for scheduled flights from Cork to a privately controlled aerodrome?

No, the only objection I have to the airport at Farmers Cross is that it is not safe for scheduled air services.

Can the Minister show any reason why Cork is not entitled to a modern up to date airport as well as Dublin or Shannon?

Up Cork!

It wants a modern lord mayor too.