Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Feb 1995

Vol. 449 No. 4

Written Answers - Waterford Regional Airport.

Martin Cullen

Question:

21 Mr. Cullen asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason Waterford Regional Airport has been excluded from the State/EU subsidised Domestic Air Services Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2971/95]

Brendan Kenneally

Question:

33 Mr. Kenneally asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will reverse the decision to exclude the two Waterford routes from the essential air services programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1539/95]

Austin Deasy

Question:

49 Mr. Deasy asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason subvention for loss-making routes under the essential air services programmes for Waterford Regional Airport is not being renewed, in view of the fact that they contribute considerably to the economic and tourist wellbeing of the south-east region and in view of the fact that subvention being maintained for such services to all other regional airports, irrespective of whether they are loss-making or not; and if he will review the situation. [3795/95]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21, 33 and 49 together.

Let us be clear on why the essential air services programme was introduced.

The reason was this: it was a recognition that the regional airports contribute significantly to maintaining and attracting industry, developing tourism and contributing to the economy of the region. The programme guaranteed a minimum level of services to these airports.

But let us be clear, too, that the essential air services programme was introduced against the background of the quality of all transport access to a particular region. The examination of transport access has been much wider than simply air services alone. The quality of access by sea and road is also important in deciding on where money should best be spent.

When I took over this portfolio the amount of money allocated to the programme in 1995 remained unchanged and is limited to £1.5 million. This, let me remind the Deputies, is also the figure included in the Estimates produced by the Fianna Fáil caretaker Government.

Deputy Brian Cowen was Minister at the time the Dublin/Waterford and Waterford/Galway/Sligo/Galway/ Waterford routes were withdrawn from the essential air services programme.

Deputy Cowen took this decision following detailed discussions with the EU Commission. He accepted the Commission's view that existing surface transport links serving Waterford were satisfactory. Deputy Cowen shared the EU view that the benefits foreseen through subsidisation of those routes were not consistent with the cost to the Exchequer.

The subvention required on these routes is high. While I will keep the routes under consideration, at the moment one could not justify a reversal of this decision.