The future of the South-East Regional Airport remains in serious doubt today following talks at the Department of Transport last night.
The meeting between the Minister for Transport, Mr Brennan, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government, Mr Cullen - who is also a TD for Waterford - and the chairman of the airport, Mr Nicholas Fewer.
The airport is set to close next month following the decision of Euroceltic Airways to withdraw its scheduled passenger services linking Waterford with Dublin, London and Liverpool.
Opened 21 years ago, the facility, which is located between Tramore and Dunmore East, has 22 direct employees, most of them members of the AT&GWU.
The staff were placed on protective notice by the board of the airport on Monday last.
It is understood Mr Fewer stressed to the Ministers that the airport had no future beyond January 26th unless significant public subsidies were made available.
He said this could come either in the form of direct aid or through the introduction of Public Service Obligation routes similar to those operated at the five regional airports on the western seaboard.
The helicopter search-and- rescue service operated from the airport by Newfoundland-based CHC Ltd on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard is also in doubt. This is due to a lack of funding to allow the airport to provide backup staff and services.
Mr Fewer has already formally notified Capt Liam Kirwan of the Irish Coast Guard that the cost to the airport of the necessary cover to provide back up for a 24-hour service, which was to come into operation in January, can not now be met.
A spokesperson for the Minister for the Environment said last night that the meeting, which lasted for over an hour, was "positive and useful" and allowed for detailed discussions on the airport's future.
"Minister Cullen is keenly aware of the importance of the airport, not only to the staff and management but to Waterford and the entire south-east region. He will continue to put every effort into finding a resolution to its current difficulties."
Government sources also suggested that more positive developments at the airport are hoped for early in the New Year.
Mr Fewer could not be reached for comment after last night's talks which were also attended by senior Department of Transport officials.