SDZ at Knock airport a priority project for County Mayo

A MESSAGE has been sent out to government - the Strategic Development Zone (SDZ) at Ireland West Airport has to be a priority project for Mayo.

The SDZ has the potential to deliver 4,000 jobs to the county.

Knock airport has been described as the jewel in the crown, Councillor Neil Cruise told a Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District (MD) meeting. However, there has been a shortfall of priority projects for the MD and the SDZ had to be a priority not only for the district but for the entire county.

They want to see things moving forward with the SDZ was the message he sent to the county council, our TDs and the government.

Councillor Cruise welcomed the commencement of flights from Ireland West Airport to Heathrow, which had created connectivity between the west of Ireland and virtually anywhere in the world.

Councillor John Caulfield said a ministerial meeting had taken place at the airport in the past month and a commitment was given that this was one of the areas that needs to be addressed.

His Fianna Fáil colleague Councillor Damien Ryan said the SDZ is the number one priority.

On the MD in general, he said there is a deficit in relation to capital projects. It represents a third of the county and it was past time they got their fair share, he commented.