‘Ireland can only support so many airports’ – Eamon Ryan on Arklow proposal

Business Post

15 April 2024

Transport minister said proposals for new international airport in Wicklow would need to show value for money

Plans for a new international airport in Wicklow would need to show a business case that benefits the public, Eamon Ryan has said.

The Business Post recently revealed that investors are advancing plans to build a project dubbed the East Leinster International Airport (ELIA) and have provisional deals with local farmers and families in place to buy more than 600 acres of land.

Speaking to reporters in Dublin on Monday, Ryan, the transport minister, said the plan may not come to fruition due to capacity constraints and competition for other regional developments.

“There are a variety of different parties looking to invest in various different airports. Before you invest public money you’ve to make sure there’s a business case that actually benefits the public and that there’s value for money in that,” Ryan said.

The Green Party leader said any application would have to be assessed on that basis.

[Read more: ‘Ireland can only support so many airports’ – Eamon Ryan on Arklow proposal | Business Post]