asked the Minister for Transport and Power if there are any plans for the establishment of an internal air-service.
Written Answers. - Internal Air-Service.
262.
The Aer Lingus network provides links on the routes Dublin/Cork, Dublin/Shannon and Belfast/Shannon. Aer Lingus have informed me that they have no plans at present for the operation of internal air services additional to those already provided.
Under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, I may grant authorisations for the operation of air services and over the years I have granted such authorisations to a number of operators in respect of various domestic routes. There is no application before my Department at present in respect of additional internal scheduled services but, as the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Minister for the Gaeltacht has been developing proposals for the provision of air services in the western Gaeltacht regions covering both mainland areas and off-shore islands.