asked the Minister for Transport the current position in relation to the Dublin-Derry air link; and his proposals to extend internal air services.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Internal Air Services.
2.
The Dublin-Derry air service continues to be operated twice daily in each direction, Mondays to Fridays inclusive, by an Irish company with the assistance of a subvention from my Department.
With regard to internal air services, an inter-departmental committee was set up earlier this year to review arrangements for establishing, equipping and financing regional or local airports and air services and to make recommendations for future policy. Pending the findings of this committee I am prepared to examine on their merits any applications for authorisations to provide internal air services.
Can the Minister indicate whether a clawback position has been reached in the contract with the Irish operator of this service?
I have not got that information but if the Deputy puts down a separate question I shall let him have a reply.
The Minister has said that he is taking a positive stand so far as the development of internal air services is concerned but is he in a position to say when he proposes issuing the necessary licences to those who wish to become involved in this service?
Obviously, the Deputy was not listening to my reply. I said:
With regard to internal air services, an inter-departmental committee was set up earlier this year to review arrangements for establishing, equipping and financing regional or local airports and air services and to make recommendations for future policy.
Pending the findings of this committee I am prepared to examine on their merits any applications for authorisations to provide internal air services.
It is not clear to me from the reply what is the exact position about the Derry-Dublin air service.
The Deputy's question is not clear to me either. On what precise aspect of that service does he require information?
Is the service to be continued?
Yes.
Indefinitely?
Yes. It is a scheduled service and there are no plans to discontinue it. The passenger complement has exceeded target and the service is very satisfactory.
Would the Minister admit that this service is the result of a successful and beneficial initiative taken by the previous Government and that it flatly contradicts the statement by his colleague, the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism that our Government took no positive steps to promote good relations between the two parts of the country?
I admit that the decision in this instance was a good decision, unlike many of the other decisions that we could talk of.
Was it not agreed——
I am not allowing any further supplementaries on this question.
——that this matter would be reviewed? Can the Minister indicate whether a State subsidy will be required in the coming year for the service?
I cannot say that. I understand that an element of subsidy will be required.
Can the Minister tell me when the inter-Departmental committee was set up?
Judging by the question it was almost inevitably set up during the Deputy's term in office.
That is what I thought.
I will ascertain the date and give it to the Deputy.
I am pretty well aware of it. I thought the Minister had renewed it again. Would the Minister confirm to the House that a licence has already been given to a private air company to operate a service from Waterford to Dublin?
A licence will be issued for a Waterford—Dublin service when Waterford airport is fully licensed.