Last week, I tabled a Topical Issue matter on the need to provide funding a runway extension at Waterford Airport. In 2019, I, along with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, was part of a delegation that met with the then Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Shane Ross, who gave a commitment to fund the airport. I know there are processes that have to be gone through and in recent months further clarification and information has been provided by the airport to the Department, but I cannot walk the length of myself in Waterford city or county without people asking me when the decision will be made and the funding approved in order to allow the airport to finish the runway extension and, we hope, get commercial flights operating out of Waterford Airport again. Will the Taoiseach answer that question?

The truthful answer is that I would like to see a decision made on this very shortly. I was inquiring about this myself only in recent days. The Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, now has responsibility for this in the Department of Transport. I will ask him to engage with Deputy Cullinane directly. My understanding is an updated submission from Waterford Airport was received by the Department on 23 April. Some detail remained outstanding until 27 May. Further detail was provided last week, on 2 July, and Department officials are now continuing their engagement with airport management in order to bring all matters to a conclusion. My understanding is that the Minister of State, Deputy Lawless, has an open mind on the issue and is awaiting an assessment of any proposal on that basis. I am well aware that there is frustration around this in Waterford. I will see if we can get the Deputy a timeline.