Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
234. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport if his Department has contingency plans in place to reinstate the Kerry-Dublin PSO in the event of commercial failure on the route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40388/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, regional connectivity is of critical importance to this Government. Recent evidence of this priority is the completion by my Department of an accelerated procurement process to reinstate air services on the Donegal/Dublin and Kerry/Dublin routes following the collapse of Stobart Air on 12 June 2021.
While the Donegal route will continue to operate as a Government funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) route, with flights commencing from 26 July, Ryanair has committed to operating the Kerry route on a commercial basis from 28 July.
In the event of any lost or failed services, whether provided by way of Public Service Obligation (PSO) or otherwise, Government is required to adhere to Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008, which provides for rules in relation to the provision and procurement of PSO air services in the European Union.
