asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will request Aer Lingus Teoranta, to make investigations into the possibility and desirability of establishing a helicopter taxi service between Shannon, Collinstown, Killarney, Cork and other available airports in this country.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Helicopter Taxi Service.
I am satisfied from information at my disposal that a service with helicopters such as that suggested by the Deputy would not be practicable for financial reasons and I would not feel justified in asking Aer Lingus to make the special investigation proposed.
I would like to point out that some local people in Mallow have offered space for such a purpose on the racecourse and would that be borne in mind when assessing the cost of the installation of such a service?
Since the question was put down by me last Thursday, has the Minister seen that there was a conference between certain members of the Irish Tourist Association and the manager of Aer Lingus? The manager was not exactly opposed to such a scheme and he stated that he would look into the possibility of setting it up.
I am quite satisfied that it could not be justified on financial grounds.