Inishowen Sinn Féin councillor, Jack Murray, has welcomed support for his motion which called for support for City of Derry Airport from the Irish government.
The motion was unanimously supported at Monday’s full sitting of Donegal County Council.
Cllr Murray said he first became a councillor, City of Derry Airport was in receipt of subvention from the Irish government in recognition of the huge amount of passengers of Donegal who use it.
However he added “Unfortunately the Fine Gael government withdrew that subvention shortly after coming into power. This is was a backward step in my view.
“The reality is that, of the more than 300,000 passengers who travel through City of Derry Airport every year, 40% of them are from Donegal. It is a critical transport hub for Donegal and the entire northwest of Ireland.
“Donegal is the only county in the state without access to rail, while the northwest is the only region on the island without dual-carriageway connection to Dublin. We cannot allow any question marks to hang over the northwest’s biggest airport.”
He pointed out that Donegal County Council has committed to funding Knock Airport for the next 10 years while it gives financial support for Carrickfinn Airport annually.
“Neither of these airports carry anywhere near as many Donegal passengers as City of Derry Airport.
“The Irish government should follow the example of the Stormont Executive which moved swiftly and released £7million to save and expand the airport.
“I am hopeful that the government will now heed the unanimous call from Donegal County Council and step up the mark and give the people of the northwest the support we deserve by supporting City of Derry Airport.”
