Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 7

Written Answers. - Regional Airports.

Mary Coughlan

Question:

162 Miss Coughlan asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the reason Aerphort Dhun na nGall was unsuccessful in obtaining a subsidy on an air link with Dublin under the EU Essential Air Service Programme; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the inability to obtain this subsidy is detrimental to the development of the airport and the region; the plans, if any, he has to support the development of Aerphort Dhun na nGall, particularly with regard to schedule links between London, Gatwick, Belfast City Airport, East Midlands and Switzerland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18887/95]

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

I am aware that a number of the regional airports have been experiencing difficulties. It was for this reason and to encourage development of the regions that my Department made arrangements for the introduction of an essential air services programme between four of those airports including Aerphort Dhún na nGall and Dublin.

The Deputy will be aware that my Department put the Dublin-Aerphort Dhún na nGall route out to tender twice and that neither of the tendering procedures was successful.

Strict criteria are laid down, in accordance with European Regulations, with which applicant airlines have to comply. The tenders received presented serious difficulties, both for my Department and the EU Commission, in relation to the suitability of the airlines and the scale of financial compensation sought for operating the service. I cannot be any more precise for confidentiality reasons.

I am arranging for a further call to tenders for the route to be inserted in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

I might add that international air services should operate on a fully commercial basis and it will not be possible to introduce a subsidy in respect of such services. It is a matter for the management of the airport to attract carriers to international routes. Under the EU Air Transport Liberalisation package, carriers are free to operate whatever international services they wish, on the basis of their own commercial judgment.