Vol. 476 No. 2
268 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the advances, if any, to encouraging companies to reinvest in the air link from Dublin to Derry to increase tourist access to the extreme north of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6742/97]
Under European Union Single Market rules in the air transport sector, all licensed EU air carriers are free to provide services on any international route within the community without Government control. However, the question as to whether an airline wishes to inaugurate services or to withdraw services on a particular route is, of course, entirely a matter for the airline to decide on the basis of its own commercial judgment. I am not aware of any proposals at present to inaugurate a new service on the Derry/Dublin route.
The Deputy will be aware, however, that in order to improve access to the regions from abroad through the network of air services operating to and from Dublin, my Department has 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. In this regard the Deputy may be aware that on 5 July 1996 my predecessor approved the award of a contract to EI Air Exports Limited for the operation of a scheduled Dublin/Donegal/Dublin passenger air service under the essential air services programme. The service commenced on 16 Auguest.
