Peter Barry
Question:131 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason he did not apply for funds from the EU to subsidise air fares from Cork Airport in view of the fact that he did so for the regional airports.
Written Answers. - Cork Airport.
Peter Barry
Question:132 Mr. Barry asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will make a special allocation of funds, outside the funds made available through Aer Rianta, for the promotion of Cork Airport, in view of the fact that such an allocation is made for Shannon Airport and the regional airports.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 131 and 132 together.
There are no funds available to me for the promotion of Cork Airport. However, in September last I made representations to Aer Rianta on the need for more transparency in their allocation of marketing funds for Cork Airport. I also apprised them of my wish to involve local commercial interests in their marketing proposals and plans for Cork Airport.
I am pleased to say that Aer Rianta has now decided that a special marketing fund totalling £500,000 be set up for the promotion of Cork Airport. A new marketing task force, chaired by Mr. B. Roche, Airport Manager, Cork, comprised of representatives of airport management and business-commercial interests in the Cork area will also be set up.
I would point out that the 1993 provision for the promotion of regional airports was an exceptional measure and is not being repeated in 1994.
The purpose of the essential services programme is to guarantee a minimum level of air services to the six small regional airports viz., Donegal, Sligo, Connaught (Knock), Galway (Carnmore), Kerry (Farranfore) and Waterford. Unlike Cork Airport, which experienced traffic growth of 12 per cent between 1991 and 1993, traffic at the six regional airports fell by a total of 36 per cent over the same period. The cost of implementing the essential air services programme will be met by the Exchequer and not by the European Union.