Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 7

Written Answers - Air Access.

Máirín Quill

Ceist:

35 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, he is taking to improve air access from the United Kingdom and Continental Europe to Galway Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2034/96]

Liz O'Donnell

Ceist:

46 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications the steps, if any, he is taking to improve air access from the United Kingdom and Continental Europe to Galway Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2035/96]

Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications (Mr. Lowry)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 35 and 46 together.

The policy of my Department is to actively encourage and welcome new services on all routes to and from Ireland.

The regional airports are owned and operated by private undertakings and as such the development plans, traffic potential and viability of these airports are primarily matters for the individual airport companies. I should also point out that since the establishment of the Single Market on 1 January 1993, all member state airlines are free to operate on any international route within the European Economic area without any restriction on frequency, provided slots are available at airports. The question of whether any airline wishes to exercise such rights is, however, entirely a matter for the airline to decide on the basis of its own commercial judgment.

However, the Deputy will be aware that in order to improve access to the regions from abroad through the network of air services operating to and from Dublin, my Department in 1993 introduced a programme of essential air services in accordance with EU Council Regulation 2408/92. This programme, which covers services between four regional airports — Kerry, Galway, Sligo and Donegal — and Dublin, is designed to guarantee a minimum level of air services to the regions.

So far operating contracts have been awarded for Kerry/Dublin and Galway/Dublin routes. This programme applies to routes within Ireland only. International services should be operated on a fully commercial basis.

In addition, the Deputy will be aware that marketing grants were paid by my Department to the six regional airports during 1993 and 1995. In the case of Galway Airport these amounted to £179,000 in 1993 and £98,000 in 1995.