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Government Chief Whip and Minister of State for the Irish Language, the Gaeltacht and the Islands, Seán Kyne TD, has announced the completion of the purchase of Aerfort Chonamara by the State at a cost of €2.75m. 

Funding for this purchase was provided from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht’s budget allocation and means that all four airports on which the Aran Islands air service depend are in state ownership. 

Speaking about the purchase, Minister of State Kyne said “Aerfort Chonamara is of strategic importance to the communities of the Aran Islands as it is the mainland landing point for the air service to the islands which is funded by the Department of Culture, Heritage and Gaeltacht. For over a year, my officials and I have worked to acquire Aerfort Chonamara, which is located at Na Mine in the Indreabhán area.”

“Having Aerfort Chonamara in State ownership provides certainty and assurance to the communities on Inis Mór, Inis Meáin and Inis Oírr as regards the Government’s long-term commitment to this lifeline transport connection,” Minister of State Kyne added.