Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 December 2013
117. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if his Department is aware of the current regulatory difficulties surrounding the air strips at Inishbofin and Cleggan in Connemara; his plans to resolve these difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53505/13]
View answerThe airstrips on Inishbofin and at Cleggan in Co. Galway are not open or licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority. Therefore, landing aircraft on the airstrips is strictly prohibited.
A decision has been made to dispose of the airstrips in view of the economic downturn, the ongoing cost of maintaining the airstrips and the unlikelihood that my Department will, at any time in the near future, have the resources to subsidise a regular air service between the island and the mainland. My Department is currently assessing the disposal options available to it and a decision in this regard will be announced in due course.
