Councils clash over future of Galway Airport

Galway City Councillors have demanded that a long-term strategy be drawn up for the County and City Council-owned Galway Airport – accusing both Council Executives of giving councillors contradictory information.

This comes as the City Council gave its stamp of approval to a further one year lease of the facility to the Galway Flying Club.

However, councillors on the city authority expressed concerns that their county counterparts were being given different information on the terms of the lease.

According to Cllr Donal Lyons (Ind), he had been made aware of differences in the wording of a letter informing councillors on both authorities of the application to extend the flying club’s licence.

In the letter to City Councillors, it stated that the extension was up to 2020, said Cllr Lyons, adding “in the one to Galway County Councillors, the wording said it will not be renewed after 2020”.

Cllr Frank Fahy (FG) said he wanted clarity for the members of Galway Flying Club – which had been in Carnmore for over 40 years – that it would still be able to operate there after next year.

“We need to keep aviation alive in Galway. The IDA market Galway as having an airport and while it may not be operating as an airport, flights can still land there,” he said.

Independent councillor Noel Larkin queried if some future aviation use could be maintained for the 115 acre site, given its strategic position for the multinational companies in Parkmore.

“Maybe not as a commercial airport, but to assist our multinationals. We have nine out of ten of the top medical companies in the world here in Galway,” said Cllr Larkin.

Cllr Alan Cheevers (FF) accused the County Council of going on a “solo run” with its future planning for the airport.

“There doesn’t seem to be any joined-up thinking with the City Council and County Council. One of the proposals for the site is a Park and Ride facility – this site is a very valuable asset for the city,” said Cllr Cheevers. “We need to see a plan.”

The Mayor, Mike Cubbard, sought clarity on whether or not Galway Fire Station was being lined up for a move to the airport site.

Negotiations to find a site for a new fire station have been ongoing for years and Carnmore had recently been suggested as a suitable location.

However, Director of Services Dermot Mahon said he had been liaising with colleagues in Galway County Council – who run fire services in both city and county – to find a site for a new station.

“I had a meeting with them last May and a number of sites were proposed. They were all within the city boundary,” he said, seemingly ruling out Carnmore as it’s in the county.

“The location in Carnmore wasn’t mentioned. I am not aware of any suggestion for Carnmore Airport,” added Mr Mahon.