Waterford Airport, the regional airport for the south east, was given approval for expansion yesterday by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, when he announced that Exchequer funding would be provided for it.

On a visit to the city - where he arrived by air - Mr Ahern said the Government has agreed to assist capital development works proposed for the airport. He said State finance would be provided this year and next year towards the cost of the projects.

Industrialists in the area - and particularly executives of several multinational companies located in the region - have recently stressed the urgency of upgrading the transport infrastructure in Waterford.