The announcement this week that the Government is to spend £4 million upgrading Galway Airport will cheer everyone up in the west.

Among the happiest groups to receive the news are Government ministers.Up to this point, they had to travel long hours in plush State cars across to the isolated outposts of Connacht. But as one government spokesman noted when the news was confirmed, "at last the Government jet will be able to land at the airport".The extension of the runway will mean that the good citizens of Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and surrounding areas can look forward to plenty more visits from their favourite Government minister.