Aviation Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 October 2020

Tuesday, 6 October 2020

Questions (234)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

234. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport if he will ensure that the City of Derry Airport is included in the forthcoming regional airports programme to reflect that 40% of the passengers, that is, 200,000 per year, are from County Donegal; if he will restore the PSO for the Derry-Dublin air route to reflect the reality that there is no rail or motorway connecting the north west region of 500,000 persons to the capital city. [28755/20]

Written answers

Minister for Transport

As the Deputy may know, my Department is currently finalising a new Regional Airports Programme for the period 2021 to 2025. Last year, as part of a public consultation process on the policy, 63 submissions were received, including one from City of Derry Airport.

All input to that process, including more recent submissions, have been examined by my Department and put forward for consideration by Minister of State Naughton. Once approved, it is anticipated that the new Programme will be published by end 2020.

With regard to re-establishing a PSO air service between Derry and Dublin Airports, and as part of new power-sharing arrangements in Northern Ireland, the Irish Government has committed to review options for supporting renewed viable services on two air routes; Derry/Dublin and Belfast/Cork. This is reflected in the published deal, New Decade, New Approach.

My Department has commenced this review and is engaging with key stakeholders including City of Derry Airport.