There is no clear answer to the issue around funding for Sligo Airport.
Sligo Fine Gael Councillor Thomas Walsh, who is also a Director at the airport, says he cannot understand the response given to Independent Deputy Marian Harkin in the Dail by Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton.
Minister Naughton said it’s been almost a decade since the airport received government funding as it is a private company.
Deputy Harkin said she was ‘gutted’ at the response for what she says is a vital base of operations for search and rescue.
Speaking to OceanFM News, Councillor Walsh says Sligo is one of the busiest coastguard bases in the country and needs the requested funding to continue operating in a safe and sustainable way.
While The Tanaiste says he ‘cannot imagine’ the base at Sligo Airport for the coastguard being moved anywhere else.
Leo Varadkar made the comments in response to a question from Independent Sligo/Leitrim TD, Marian Harkin in the Dail yesterday about funding for the airport.
He says it’s essential it continues to operate for the Coast guard.
