Air Services Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019

Wednesday, 8 May 2019

Questions (1612)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

1612. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans to seek permission from the EU for the provision of a public service obligation air service to Cleggan airport and to Inishbofin from Connemara airport; if so, when she plans to lodge the application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19052/19]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

Public Service Obligation air services may only be imposed by EU Member States with the prior consent of the EU. No such consent has been sought in relation to an air service between Inishbofin and Cleggan.

While there are proposals to transfer part of each of the sites on Inishbofin and at Cleggan to the HSE and the Coast Guard respectively, neither of the proposed developments on these sites will, in any way, prejudice the future use of either location for the provision of air services between Inishbofin and Cleggan.