SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood has said that political stalemate cannot be allowed to threaten the viability of City of Derry Airport.He said: “The price for political failure cannot once again fall on the people of Derry.
“The Executive made a specific commitment to ensure the viability of the City of Derry Airport as a key regional transport infrastructure centre.
“That commitment cannot be reneged on now. Political instability cannot lead to economic instability in the North West.
“People in the North West cannot be treated like second class citizens again.
“It beggars belief that air route development funding which was allocated for the last year has been sent back to the Department of Finance and will not now be reallocated to save a regional airport.
“This bean counting mentality can’t continue.
“Of course this may not even be an issue if the former Finance Minister had discharged his primary duty to pass a budget. The dipping, diving and delays from Mairtín Ó Muilleoir are now starting to have serious consequences.
“I have written to the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Finance asking that this resource be released immediately.
“This matter must be resolved,” added the SDLP leader.
