Huge imbalance in investment between Dublin and regional airports

Minister Martin Cullen has just announced investments of €86m for the six regional airports under Transport 21. He tells us that: “This unprecedented level of investment reflects the government's conviction that the regional airports have a key role to play in facilitating balanced regional development.”

I am afraid he is correct. With investment over the same period at Dublin Airport expected to be €1,940m, that is a ratio of over 20 to one in favour of Dublin and is a good reflection of this government's commitment to regional development.

Apart from accentuating regional imbalances contrary to National Spatial Strategy, the proposed expansion at Dublin Airport will waste €4.5bn in public and private assets and cost another €8.4bn in terms of global warming damage. See www.norunway.com.

Matthew Harley, Portmarnock, Co Dublin