Vol. 456 No. 8
77 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if his Department will include Sligo-Dublin in the schedule of services in the EU Essential Air Services Programme; and the action, if any, he proposes to take in order to ensure its inclusion in the programme. [14734/95]
I can confirm that the Sligo-Dubln route is included in the Essential Air Services Programme. The route was included in the call for tenders which was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities earlier this year. I regret to say that the tender documents received presented serious difficulties and it was not possible to award an operating contract for this route. This decision was taken after detailed evaluation of the tenders received and following consultation with the European Commission.
I intend to consult the airport management and the EU Commission about the possibility of re-advertising the route.
78 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications if he will commission a study on the possibility of having direct flights from the west-midlands to the west of Ireland. [14767/95]
The promotion of additional traffic through Irish airports is essentially a matter for the airports' authorities themselves.
I have no plans to commission a study on the possibility of having direct fights from the west midlands of the UK to the west of Ireland. I would point out, however, that since 1 January 1993 any licensed EU carrier has the right to provide scheduled services on any international route within the Community without Government or EU approval. The question as to whether a Community airline wishes to exercise its right to operate on a particular route is entirely a matter for the airline to decide on the basis of its commercial judgment.
