Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 28 May 1996

Vol. 466 No. 1

Written Answers. - Air Access Improvements.

Máirín Quill

Question:

36 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications his views on the need to improve air access through western regional airports to counter the imbalance in growth in tourism vis-à-vis east coast destinations. [10261/96]

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

The policy of my Department is to actively encourage and welcome new services on all routes to and from Ireland. Having said that I would point out that since the establishment of the single market on 1 January 1993, all European Economic Area (EEA) airlines are free to operate on any international route within the EEA without any restriction on frequency, provided slots are available at airports. The question of whether any airline wishes to exercise such rights is, however, entirely a matter for the airline on the basis of its own commercial judgment.

In relation to access from the US I should point out that under existing policy on transatlantic services enshrined in the bilateral agreement, there are no restrictions whatsoever on US airlines operating services, either scheduled or charter, from any point in the US to Shannon.

In addition US airlines may operate any number of direct non-stop charter services from any point in the US to Knock Airport. Similarly Irish airlines can operate an unlimited number of charter services to Shannon and Knock from any US point and unlimited scheduled services to Shannon from four US points i.e. New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.

Furthermore if an Irish or US airline wishes to operate services to/from Dublin then an equivalent US service must be operated to/from Shannon. This policy has clear benefits for the West of Ireland in that it ensures that any growth in US-Ireland air services will lead to growth in services to Shannon. Of course, again, the question of whether any airline inaugurates a particular service is purely a commercial decision for that airline.

The Deputy will be aware that, in order to assist the airport companies in marketing and promoting their airports, I recently announced the Government's approval for a scheme of Exchequer grants for the six regional airports — Donegal, Sligo, Knock, Galway, Kerry and Waterford. The scheme of grants will total £2.35 million over the four years to 1999.

The regional airports are owned and operated by private undertakings and as such the development plans, traffic potential and viability of these airports are primarily matters for the individual airport companies. The Exchequer grants scheme should not be seen by the regional airports as an indication that local community support is no longer needed for the survival and success of these airports. It is crucial that the airport companies continue to develop sources of local financial support.

The Deputy will also be aware that in order to improve access to the regions from abroad through the network of air services operating to and from Dublin, my Department in 1993 introduced a programme of essential air services in accordance with EU Council Regulation 2408/92. This programme, which covers services between four regional airports — Kerry, Galway, Sligo and Donegal — and Dublin is designed to guarantee a minimum level of air services to the regions.

So far operating contracts have been awarded for Kerry/Dublin and Galway/Dublin routes. Tenders for the Donegal/Dublin and Sligo/Dublin routes are at present being processed by my Department in consultation with the European Commission.

Choice of destination within Ireland is clearly a matter of personal preference for the individual traveller. Any questions relating to broader efforts being undertaken to address any perceived imbalance in regional distribution of tourism growth are more properly addressed to my colleague, Deputy Enda Kenny, Minister for Tourism and Trade.