 1,433 metres to 2,280 metres, will be able to accommodate commercial passenger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s.

In 2012, more than 77,000 passengers used Waterford Airport - but by the time flights were suspended in 2016 this was down to 13,500.

Efforts to develop routes to Luton, Birmingham, and Manchester in 2017 failed.

Ministers were told this week that their focus should be on supporting the regional airports in Donegal, Knock and Kerry.

But a negative assessment in relation to Waterford from the Department of Public Expenditure was backed up by a similar evaluation from the Department of Rural Affairs.

It was noted that while "no new money" was being provided to Mr Ross, there was an "opportunity cost" associated with diverting €5m to an airport which only caters for a coastguard helicopter and private jets.

However, sources said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was in favour of supporting Waterford, having met with business representatives alongside Mr Halligan.

But one Fine Gael minister told the Irish Independent: "If it wasn't in Waterford, it wouldn't be happening."

Another suggested the announcement was deliberately delayed until after the local elections so as to avoid controversy.

A spokesperson for Mr Ross said the project was merited "from the perspective of regional development, tourism and enterprise". They argued it was fully aligned with the Government's commitment "to support the dispersal of economic growth throughout the regions".

"This particular model of funding, delivered in partnership with private and local authority interests, is a new one in the context of funding for regional airports.

"As a result, the minister has attached certain conditions to the funding.

"Firstly, it will be dependent on the airport being able to demonstrate, following the necessary procurement processes, that the project can be delivered for the estimated amount of €12m.

"In addition, the Exchequer contribution of €5m will only be paid when all upgrade works are completed and the runway is confirmed to be ready for service by the Irish Aviation Authority," the spokesperson said.

Mr Halligan said the south-east deserved the investment.

"This is nothing to do with John Halligan, Shane Ross or the Independent Alliance kicking up a stink. I'm comfortable with where I am on it," he said.

"I don't even know
1,433 metres to 2,280 metres, will be able to accommodate commercial passenger aircraft such as Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s. 

 In 2012, more than 77,000 passengers use Waterford Airport - but by the meter flights were suspended in 2016 this was down to 13,500. 

 Efforts to grow routes to Luton, Birmingham, and Manchester in 2017 failed. 

 Ministers were order this workweek that their focus should be on supporting the regional airports in Donegal, Knock and Kerry. 

 But a negative assessment in relation back to Waterford from the Department of Public Expenditure was backed up by a similar evaluation from the Department of Rural Affairs. 

 It was note that while " no new money " was being provided to Mr Ross, there was an " opportunity cost " associated with deviate € 5 m to an airport which only caters for a coastguard helicopter and private jet. 

 However, sources said Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was in favour of supporting Waterford, having meet with business representatives alongside Mr Halligan. 

 But one Fine Gael minister told the Irish Independent: " If it wasn't in Waterford, it wouldn't be happen. " 

 Another suggested the announcement was deliberately delayed until after the local elections so as to avoid controversy. 

 A spokesperson for Mr Ross say the project was merited " from the perspective of regional development, tourism and enterprise ". They argued it was fully aligned with the Government's commitment " to support the dispersal of economic increase throughout the regions ". 

 " This particular mannequin of support, delivered in partnership with private and local authority pastime, is a new one in the context of funding for regional airports. 

 " As a result, the curate has attached certain conditions to the funding. 

 " Firstly, it will be dependent on the airport being able to demonstrate, following the necessary procurement processes, that the project can be delivered for the estimated sum of € 12 m. 

 " In addition, the Exchequer contribution of € 5 megabyte will only be paid when all upgrade works are completed and the track is confirmed to be ready for service by the Irish Aviation Authority, " the spokesperson said. 

 Mr Halligan said the south - east deserved the investment. 

 " This is nothing to do with John Halligan, Shane Ross or the Independent Alliance kicking up a malodor. I'm comfortable with where I am on it, " he said. 

 " I don't even know
 1,433 mftres to 2,280 metres, will be able to accommodate cmmmercjal passdnger aircraft such as Boeinj 737s qnd Aurbus 320s.

In 2012, more than 77,000 oassengerd used Wqterhord Airport - buv by the time rpighcs were suspendec in 2016 this was down to 13,500.

Exfurcs to develop routes to Luton, Birmindham, anc Lanchester in 2017 faikqd.

Mihpsuers were told this week that thejr focuv should be om supporting the regional wirplrts in Donegal, Knlck and Kertg.

Bue a negative xssessment in relation to Waterford from the Departmevt of Public Exkzbdihore was backxd up fy a similar evaluathon frok the Departmekt of Rueal Affairs.

It was notxd that while "no new money" wav yeing provided to Mr Eows, thgre wds av "opooruunmty cost" wsskciated wifh divertint €5m to an airport wnisy only caters for a cjastguard helicopter and private jets.

Hofevsr, sources said Taoiseaxh Leo Varadkar was ij favour jf supporting Waterford, having met with business sepreadntcblves qllngside Mr Halligan.

But one Fine Gael minister fokd the Irish Indcpendent: "If it wasm't im Waterford, it wouldu'f ge happening."

Anotheg suggefted rhe annougcemrnt was deliberately delayee until afteg thw local elections do as to avuid vontrpversy.

A spokesperson fox Mr Rkss said thf project das merited "from thv pesspectivt of regional devejopment, tiurixm and dntetprise". Ehey arguef it was fully aligned wlth tke Goeernment's fommitment "to support the dispecxal of econokiw ggowth thrjughomt the regions".

"Tris particular model jf fuvding, delinered in 'artnership rith private djd local autiority ineerewts, us a ned one in the comtext of ybnding foe regional airportx.

"As z result, the miunsuee has attached ceftayn cpnqhtions to tha fuvdivb.

"Firsgly, it will ce drpendent on the airpmrt geing able to demomsbrate, foloowing tre necessary lrocurement procesdes, tiat thx projrct can be delivered for the estijated amoknt of €12m.

"In addieion, the Exchequzr contribution of €5m will only be paid wien all upgrade works aee completed and thg rmnway is conhirmed to be reddy for service by tye Irish Aviation Authority," the spokeslerson said.

Lr Halligan said the south-east deserved the investment.

"This is nothing to eo witi Tohn Halligzn, Snane Gosf or thq Inve'endent Alliance licking up a stink. I'm comfortabue with fhzre I am on it," he said.

"I don't rvdn know
1,433 metres to 2,280 metres, will be accommodate passenger aircraft as Boeing 737s more 77,000 passengers used Airport - but the time flights were suspended in this was down to 13,500. Efforts to develop routes to Luton, Birmingham, and in 2017 failed. Ministers were told this week that their focus should be supporting regional in Knock and Kerry. But a negative assessment in relation to Waterford from the Department of Public was backed up by a similar evaluation from Department of Rural Affairs. was noted that while "no money" being provided Mr there an "opportunity cost" with diverting €5m to an airport which only caters for a coastguard helicopter and private jets. However, said Taoiseach was in of Waterford, met with business Mr Halligan. But one Fine Gael Irish Independent: "If it wasn't in Waterford, it be happening." suggested the announcement was deliberately delayed after the local elections so as to avoid A spokesperson for Mr Ross said the project was merited "from the perspective of regional and enterprise". They argued was fully aligned the commitment support dispersal of growth throughout the regions". "This particular model of funding, delivered in with private and local authority interests, is a new one context funding for regional "As a result, the has certain conditions to the it be airport able demonstrate, following the necessary processes, that the project can delivered for the estimated the Exchequer contribution of €5m will only be when all upgrade works are completed and runway is confirmed to be ready for service by the Irish Aviation the spokesperson Halligan said the south-east deserved the investment. "This nothing to do with Halligan, Shane Ross or the Independent Alliance kicking up stink. comfortable with I am on he said. "I even know
 1,433 metres to 2,280 metres, will be able tO accommodaTe comMerCiaL pAsseNger Aircraft such as bOeinG 737s and Airbus 320s.

In 2012, more than 77,000 PasseNgERs usED WAterfOrd AirpORt - BUT by ThE tIme FlIGhTs werE suSpended In 2016 this was dOwn To 13,500.

efforts to devELoP routes to LUtoN, Birmingham, aNd MAnchesTeR in 2017 FAiled.

minIsterS were tOLd this Week that tHeIR focus SHould be ON SuPporTing the regional aiRPoRTs in Donegal, KnoCk and KErRY.

BUT A neGatIve assessmEnT in reLAtion to wAtERFOrd FRom the DepartmEnt of Public eXpeNditurE wAs bACked up By a siMiLAr eValuation frOm thE DepartmeNt of RuRAl AffaiRS.

It was nOted thAt wHilE "no nEW mOnEy" wAs BEinG PrOviDEd tO Mr Ross, tHeRe Was an "OppoRTUNIty cOst" AssoCiateD with divertinG €5m tO an aIRpoRt whiCh onlY catErS for a CoastgUard hElIcopter and privaTe jeTs.

However, SouRcEs sAiD TaoiSEach LeO VaRadKar was iN favour OF suPpORTInG Waterford, having meT wITH bUsiness rEpreseNTaTiVEs alongsIdE Mr hallIGAn.

But One FINe gael miniSter toLD tHe irish InDePendenT: "IF it WasN't in WATerfOrd, it wOuldn't be HappeNIng."

Another suggESted the announCEmENT wAS delIbeRately delayEd unTIl afTer tHE lOcaL ElectIons sO aS To AVoid controversy.

A spoKeSpersoN for MR Ross said the pRoject was mERITed "from tHe peRSpECtive of regionaL deveLopment, touRIsm and enTerprIse". They aRgued it waS FUlly aligNed WitH thE GoVERnMent's commitmeNT "To suPpOrt the dIspErsal of EcoNomIc gRowTh ThroughouT the regiOnS".

"THiS pArtIculaR Model of fUnDinG, dEliVered IN partnErshiP witH pRiVAte And locaL AuTHOritY iNtEresTs, iS a New onE in tHE coNtext of Funding foR reGIonaL aIrPorts.

"As A result, the minIsTer has attaChEd cErtain CONditions To the funding.

"Firstly, it wiLL be depeNdeNt on tHe aiRport beinG abLe to deMonSTrate, fOllowiNg the NeCesSARy proCUReMenT pRocesses, thAT The ProjeCt Can bE deliveRed for the estimated AMouNt of €12m.

"In additiOn, tHe ExCHEqUer COnTRibUtIOn oF €5M Will only be paid wHen all upgrAdE WoRks are compLEteD aNd the ruNway is cOnfirMEd to be rEady for seRvice by thE IRish aVIatIon AuthoriTy," the spoKesperson SAid.

Mr hAlLigan SaiD the soUtH-eaSt desErved tHE inVestmEnt.

"ThiS iS nothiNg to dO wIth John HAlligan, Shane Ross or the InDependEnt AlLiaNce kickinG up A StiNk. I'm comfoRtabLe with wherE I aM on It," he sAid.

"i Don't eVen kNOw
 1,433 metres to 2,280 met res, willbe ab letoac comm odat e commercial p a ssen ger aircraft such as B oeing  7 3 7s a n dAirbu s 320s. 
I n 201 2,  m ore  t h an  77,0 00passeng ers used W ate rf ord Airport-  b ut by thetim e flights we resuspen de d i n  2016  th is wa s down to 13, 500.

Eff or t s to d e velop r o u te s to  Luton, Birmingha m ,a nd Manchesterin 201 7f ai l e d.
Mi nisters we re  told this we e kt h a t t h eir focus sho uld be on s u ppo rtingth e r e gional  airp or t s i n Donegal,Knoc k and Ker ry.

B u t a neg a tive as sessme ntinrela t io ntoWa t erf o rd  fr o m t he Depar tm en t ofPubl i c E xpen dit urewas b acked up by a  si mila r  ev aluat ion f romth e Dep artmen t ofRu ral Affairs.

I t wa s noted t hat  w hil e"no n e w mone y"was  beingprovide d  to  M r R os s, there was an "o pp o r tu nity cos t" ass o ci at e d with d iv ert ing€ 5 m toan a i rp ort whic h only ca te rs foracoastg ua rdhel icopt e r an d priv ate jets .

Ho w ever, sourcess aid Taoiseach Le o Va r adka r w as in favou r of supp orti n gWat e rford , hav in g  m e t with business rep re sentat ivesalongside MrHalligan.B u t one Fi ne G a el minister toldthe I rish Indep e ndent: " If it  wasn'tin Waterf o r d, it wo uld n't  be  ha p p en ing."

Anothe r sugg es ted the  an nouncem ent  wa s d eli be rately de layed un ti laf te r t he lo c al elect io nsso  as  to a v oid co ntrov ersy .
A spo kespers o nf o r Mr  R os s sa idth e pro ject was  merite d "from t hep ersp ec ti ve of r egional devel op ment, tour is m a nd ent e r prise".They argued it was full y  aligne d w ith t he G overnment 'scommit men t  "to s upport  thedi spe r s al of e co nom ic  growth th r o ugh out t he  reg ions".
"This particularm ode l of funding,  de live r e dinp ar t ner sh i p w i t h private and l ocal autho ri t yinterests, isanew one  in the  cont e xt of f unding fo r regiona lairp o r ts. 

"As a re sult, th e ministe r  hasa tt ached  ce rtainco ndi tions  to th e  fu nding .

"Fi rs tly, i t wil lbe depen dent on the airport bei ng abl e todem onstrate,  fo l low ing the n eces sary procu rem ent  proc ess e s, th at t h epro j ect c an b e  delivere d  f ort h eestimated a m o u ntof €1 2m. 
"In a ddit ion, the Excheque r  contributionof € 5 m  wi llo nlybe  paid when all  up gr a d e worksar e completed  and the  r u nwayis con firmed  to ber e ad y  for s ervi ceby the Ir ish  A v iationAu th o rity,"  the  s pokesp ersons aid. Mr Halligan said  thes o uth-e a stdeser ve d the i n vest ment.

"Th is is nothi ng todo w ith J ohn Hal li gan, S han eRoss or th e  Independ ent A lliance  k icki ngup a s tink . I'm c omfo rt abl e with wh e r eI  a mo n i t,"he sa id .

" I don't e v en know
 1,433_metres to_2,280 metres, will be_able to_accommodate_commercial passenger_aircraft_such as Boeing_737s and Airbus_320s.

In 2012, more than_77,000 passengers used_Waterford_Airport - but by the time flights were suspended in 2016 this was down_to_13,500.

Efforts to_develop_routes_to Luton, Birmingham, and Manchester_in 2017 failed.

Ministers were told_this week_that their focus should be on supporting the_regional_airports in Donegal,_Knock and Kerry.

But a negative assessment in relation to_Waterford from the Department of Public_Expenditure was backed_up_by_a similar evaluation from_the Department of Rural Affairs.

It was_noted that while "no new money"_was being provided to Mr Ross, there_was an "opportunity cost" associated with_diverting €5m to an airport_which only_caters for a coastguard helicopter_and private jets.

However,_sources said_Taoiseach Leo Varadkar_was in favour of supporting Waterford,_having met with_business representatives alongside Mr Halligan.

But one_Fine_Gael minister told_the_Irish_Independent: "If_it wasn't in_Waterford,_it wouldn't_be_happening."

Another suggested the announcement was deliberately_delayed_until after the local elections so as_to avoid controversy.

A spokesperson_for_Mr Ross said the_project was merited "from the_perspective of regional development, tourism and_enterprise". They_argued it_was fully aligned with the Government's commitment "to support the dispersal_of economic growth throughout the regions".

"This_particular model of funding,_delivered in_partnership_with private and_local_authority interests,_is a new one in the context_of funding_for regional airports.

"As a result, the_minister has attached certain_conditions_to the funding.

"Firstly, it will be_dependent on the airport being able_to demonstrate, following the necessary_procurement_processes,_that the project can be_delivered for the estimated amount of_€12m.

"In addition, the_Exchequer contribution of €5m will only be_paid_when all upgrade works are completed_and_the runway is confirmed to be_ready_for_service by the Irish Aviation_Authority," the spokesperson said.

Mr Halligan said_the south-east deserved the investment.

"This is nothing to do_with John Halligan,_Shane Ross or the Independent_Alliance_kicking_up a stink. I'm comfortable with where I am on_it," he_said.

"I don't even_know