Vol. 449 No. 4
41 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the recommendations made by a person (details supplied) in the report entitled A Study on the Regional Airports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[3759/95]
The report referred to by the Deputy was commissioned on a confidential basis for internal-departmental purposes.
I do not propose, therefore, to give details of the report other than to say that the recommendations were examined and implemented where I considered appropriate.
42 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the assessment, if any, he has made of the future prospects for Ireland's regional airports. [3810/95]
In response to the sharp downturn in traffic at the regional airports in 1993 compared with 1990 (51 per cent drop), my Department commissioned an aviation and transportation analyst in 1993 to review the performance of the regional airports and assess their future viability.
Arising from the consultant's recommendations, short term marketing assistance was provided by the Exchequer for these airports on a once-off basis in 1993. This contributed to a 25 per cent increase in traffic at the airports in 1994 compared to 1993.
In addition, an essential air services programme has been introduced by my Department to guarantee a minimum level of air services to the regions served by these airports. The provision in my Department's 1995 vote for the programme is £1.5 million.
