The House will now hear a one minute statement on a matter appropriate to the Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications. I call on Deputy McGinley.
Adjournment Debate. - Tourism, Transport and Communications Matter.
Is mian liom buíochas a thabhairt duit, a Cheann Comhairle, as deis a thabhairt dom an cheist thábhachtach seo a thógail ar an Athló. Carrickfin Airport is situated in the Donegal Gaeltacht on the Atlantic coast and for several years there were regular flights, almost on a daily basis, from Carrickfin to Glasgow operated initially by Malinair and latterly by Loganair.
Last May Ryanair commenced twice weekly flights to Luton, indeed the Minister, Deputy Brennan, was there for the inaugural flight and witnessed the excitement and optimism of all who attended on that occasion for the future development of Carrickfin Airport. Last January Ryanair suspended all their flights to Carrickfin and, since last month, all flights by Loganair were suspended pending further notice. At present there is no passenger service to or from Carrickfin. Not alone is this a setback for the airport and its hard working board of directors, it is also a severe blow to the future development of industry, tourism and commercial life throughout Donegal which is one of the most peripheral regions in the country with an inadequate roads network, particularly to the west, and does not have a railway line.
I request the Minister to take immediate steps to have regular flights from Carrickfin to Glasgow and London and to examine the feasibility of having internal flights, perhaps from Carrickfin to Dublin, for which there would be a demand.
Ní mór dom buíochas a ghabháil don Teachta as ucht an cheist a chur agus cosúil leis fhéin, de bharr ganntanas ama, ní mór dom brostú le freagra na ceiste.
I understand that Loganair suspended services on the Glasgow-Carrickfin route on 22 February 1991 as part of a series of cutbacks in the company in response to the general downturn in aviation as a result of the Gulf crisis. We have been in touch with the company and I am pleased to inform the Deputy and the House that the company will resume services with effect from 27 March on the basis of a twice weekly service which will increase to five times weekly in the peak summer months.
The board of the airport are also looking at proposals for additional air services to and from the airport which, I hope, will come to fruition in the coming months. As part of their plan for the future expansion and development of the airport facilities, the board have recently submitted proposals to my Department for upgrading the terminal building, taxiways and navigational aids at a cost of up to £2 million. These proposals are being considered for financial assistance under the EC operational programme on peripherality. Under this programme up to 50 per cent of funds required may be available from the ERDF sources.
The Government recognise the importance of the regional airports to the economic and social development of the regions and to tourism in particular. In support of this it is hoped to make a decision shortly on the funds to be allocated to Carrickfin and other regional airports.
The Dáil adjourned at 11.25 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 14 March 1991.