Chamber denies trying to 'offload' Galway Airport to Councils
There is speculation that Galway’s two local authorities could take over Galway Airport.
Mayor of County Galway, Cllr Liam Carroll, an airport board member, said he understands discussions are ongoing with a view to Galway City Council and Galway County Council buying outright, or taking a greater shareholding in, the Carnmore facility.
The majority shareholder, Galway Chamber, confirmed it was in talks with the local authorities but denied those talks had anything to do with ‘off-loading’ the airport.
Mayor Carroll said he is not involved in the talks but has been briefed on them. “There have been discussions with both of the councils with a view to them taking over the airport, so that they could secure the future of the airport for the good of the wider community in both Galway city and county,” he said.
On a prime 115 acres site at a strategic location, he said it could continue as an airport; alternatively it could be developed as an industrial estate or technology park. “We have to look at the long term – not next year and the year after but the next ten years and ten after that,” he said. Any such proposal would need approval of elected members of both councils, he said. Money is tight but he insisted “where there’s a will there’s a way”.
Michael Coyle, CEO of Galway Chamber, said his organisation works closely with both Councils in relation to the Park and Ride facility that has been discontinued, and funding. Mr Coyle said the Chamber was not seeking to “offload” the airport. He said there haven’t been discussions with the two Councils about them increasing their shareholding in the airport company. He also said the discussions did not centre round them buying the facility.
“It is very premature to describe it as the Chamber trying to offload it; that would be wide of the mark. I think it would be a far leap, in the scheme of things, to conclude that from the discussions we are having,” he said. He said the Chamber has “no indication they (councils) are interested in buying it” and there is no indication anyone else is interested either,” added Mr Coyle.