Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 1

Written Answers. - Off Shore Islands' Air Service.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

162 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the funding that is available nationally or from the EU to assist in the establishment of an air service to Inishturk and Clare Islands and for the provision of air strips on those islands in view of the interest shown by Aer Aran. [10171/95]

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

There is no funding available within my Department or from European Union sources to assist in the establishment of an air service to Inishturk and Clare Islands or for the provision of air strips on these islands.

Ireland is served by a network of six regional airports. Under the 1989-1993 Peripherality Programme substantial investment was undertaken so that these airports would have the capacity to handle significantly increased traffic volumes. In view of investment already undertaken and the fact that the existing network is more than adequate, it is not proposed to extend the network. Instead, policy is directed towards increasing traffic at the existing regional airports.