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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 29 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 7

Written Answers. - Regional Airports.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

217 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Transport the position regarding the granting of a PSO licence to Waterford Regional Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15059/03]

The position relating to a PSO for Waterford must be considered in the light of a general review of the current PSO regime. In this regard, my Department is currently examining the effectiveness of the PSO air services programme and the related issue of regional airport policy generally. As the Deputy will be aware, the EU Commission turned down a previous proposal for a PSO air service between Waterford and Dublin on the grounds that such a service was not considered an essential air service as specified under the relevant EU regulation.

Partly in recognition of the fact that Waterford Airport does not have a PSO service, the grant from my Department for marketing/promotion and security measures was substantially increased in recent years from €250,000 in 2001 to €650,000 this year. In this regard, I welcome the fact that the airport authorities in Waterford have secured a new carrier to resume the important Luton service. This service is scheduled to recommence on 9 June with Aer Arann Express.

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