It is 40 years this year since Knock Airport opened in County Mayo. At the time, it was thought impossible to build an airport on a foggy, boggy hill but such was the determination and vision of Monsignor James Horan. Since then, it has been incredibly successful and a really key piece of infrastructure for Mayo and the west of Ireland.

It is at somewhat of a crossroads at the minute. It is due to exceed 1 million passengers this year, having already handled 950,000 passengers last year. Under the regional airport support scheme, once an airport exceeds 1 million passengers, it triggers a tapering off of funding. However, this funding scheme is vitally important and has been critically important for the airport in previous years. The management team is incredibly successful and it has many more ambitions for capital infrastructure and to expand passenger numbers.

My question to the Tánaiste is: what steps will he take to ensure Knock Airport is not penalised for growth? What steps will the Tánaiste take to ensure we continue to the investment in the west of Ireland? This airport is really important and I want to see it continue to be supported.

So do I and so does my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, sitting here beside me. I know Deputy Lawless does too. When I think of Knock Airport, I always think of two things. One is the visit I had there during the election campaign. It was a very good visit with Deputy Dillon, former Taoiseach Enda Kenny and others. I think it was also the place where the late Pope visited when he came to Ireland and I think he said "Mayo for Sam". Sure look, the dream lives on.

These are the things in my mind but I know it is an incredibly important part of the airport infrastructure in this country. We are an island nation. Our airports play a massive role, as too does Knock Airport. We should never, ever have a situation in this country where we think it was a choice between growing what happens at Dublin Airport or the regional airports. We will need that capacity right across the network. That is why we have invested over €20 million in capital funding in Knock Airport over the past few years.

Under the regional airport programme, I really believe we will able to make progress and along the lines that the Deputy, the Minister of State, Deputy Dillon, and others are discussing. We are fully supportive of the growth and development of Knock Airport.