asked the Minister for Tourism and Transport if the Government will increase their funding for the development of Farranfore Airport, County Kerry, to the maximum EC level, in view of its importance to the region for tourism and industrial purposes.

Under the development plan for regional airports which I announced in 1988, provision was included for further Exchequer grant assistance of £1,125,000 for the development of Farranfore Airport. This investment is designed to ensure that Farranfore satisfies the operational and safety standards required by my Department to handle 40/50 seater aircraft and it will leave the airport in a strong position to exploit the tourism and economic prospects of the region. Work on the development of the airport project is proceeding satisfactorily and I understand that the airport will open for international services on 22 May 1989.

The Exchequer grant for the airport will bring State funding for the project to almost £1.4 million and this represents a generous level of support, especially at a time of scarce resources. In relation to further State funding for the airport, the position is that proposals have been made to the EC authorities in the context of the Structural Funds for the further development of regional airports. In this context it is hoped that additional funds will be available for the development of regional airports, including Farranfore.

In view of the fact that the local contribution now stands at £1.7 million, surely it would be only right that this amount should be matched by the normal funding as accepted by the EC, which is 70:30, and which is envisaged in the Structural Funds? In view of this great effort made by the local community in raising that amount of £1.7 million, could the Minister make a case for the proper amount of £3.4 million, including his original grant, to be made available to Farranfore Airport? If that airport has to compete with other regional and international airports, certainly the runway will have to be made longer. There will have to be more facilities in order to bring larger planes to this airport. Would this funding——

The Deputy has made his point.

Unless we have this increased funding, I do not think that can be done.

First, I should like to take up the point made by the Deputy with regard to the local contribution. I want to put on the record of this House my appreciation of what was done there by way of raising funds locally — done quickly and to a substantial amount.

Hear, hear.

They were not just talking about development or about this provision — they went out and, in Kerry and in London, to my own knowledge, and elsewhere involved with the Kerry diaspora, collected the money.

I thank the Minister.

The fact is that the 40-50 seater aircraft of two types, ATR and Fokker, will be able to use that airport as and from 22 May next. I shall repeat what I said in the final paragraph of my reply. I do not want to be more specific than that. There is a provision — a demand, let us put it that way — on the Structural Funds for the development of regional airports. Farranfore, with other regional airports, will be in consideration for any additional funds.

A final question and a brief question, please.

In view of the effort of the local committee, which the Minister has acknowledged, would he make an argument for priority for Farranfore Airport if funds become available for regional airports?

I would like to do that. I want to repeat what I said. There is a demand on the limited funds for development of regional airports. Farranfore would be very prominently there because of the people's own very special and successful efforts in raising funds locally.