By Avril Horan

RENEWED calls to open the airstrips at Cleggan and Inishbofin – originally built at a cost of €10 million – have been made by Galway County Council.

Councillors are urging the Government to activate the airstrips on a trial basis over the summer months, with the aim of establishing a year-round air service between the mainland and the islands.

The motion was put forward by Cllr Eileen Mannion (FG), and the Council agreed to write to Minister Dara Calleary seeking action.

“We have two airstrips in Connemara, and they are lying there idle,” said Cllr Mannion.

“Cleggan is used by the Coast Guard, but that’s all. It’s €10 million of taxpayers’ money left idle. They’re there. Put them into use.”

A debate over the future of Galway Airport at Carnmore dominated proceedings, with several Councillors insisting that Galway cannot afford to lose the site as an aviation asset.

Comhairleoir Tomás Ó Curraoin (Ind), who has flown from Carnmore in the past, said he could not understand how it had closed.

“It’s sad to see somewhere like that go,” he said. “If we lose an airport, it’s very hard to get it back. We are going backwards.”

Cllr Ollie Turner (FG) reignited the long-running push for Galway County Council to buy out Galway City Council’s share of the airport lands.

“It’s almost three years since we proposed buying out the City’s share,” he said.

“It has fallen between two stools and inertia has set in. It should be addressed again,” he said.

Cllr Ó Curraoin seconded the call and stated: “I don’t know how they got in on it in the first place. It’s in the heart of the county.”

However, senior officials confirmed the City Council does not wish to sell. Councillors were reminded that the airport has seen no commercial flights since 2011, and that both local authorities must complete statutory processes before any future development can be considered.

An overall development plan must be prepared before planning permission can be sought, and expressions of interest from the private sector are currently being evaluated.

“Galway City Council are not interested in a sale of the property to us,” officials stated.

“They wish to continue through expressions of interest and the joint economic strategy. The site is identified as one of economic potential. We are not in a position to open it as an airport. We are a local authority, not an aviation authority.”

Meanwhile, Councillors unanimously agreed to renew the Galway Flying Club’s lease at Carnmore for another year.

Cllr Geraldine Donohue (Ind) noted that the club will celebrate 80 years next year and expressed frustration that it must continue to seek an annual renewal.

“The Galway Flying Club is 80 years in existence next year, and they’re still waiting for the City and County to give them their blessing,” she said.

“Eighty years in business and we can’t do something better? There’s something wrong.”

Officials clarified that the annual lease does not provide long-term security and that, if the airport lands are eventually sold, the club will have to negotiate with the new owners.

Workshops will be held in the coming weeks to update Councillors on the historic negotiations between the two local authorities – beginning with the joint purchase of the airport lands in 2013 –  before any further decisions are made.

Report funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme

Pictured: Cllr Eileen Mannion