Vol. 503 No. 1
32 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she will continue the subsidy to Aer Lingus to enable it to operate at competitive rates from Kerry Airport when the present arrangement ends in December 1999; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9065/99]
The Government operates a grant scheme to assist the six regional airports including Kerry Airport with marketing and promotional activities for the period 1996-1999.
The Deputy may also be aware that under Article 4 of Council Regulation (EEC) 2408/92, the Government operates four public service routes under the Essential Air Services Programme between Dublin and Kerry, Donegal, Galway and Sligo since 1995 which are subsidised from Exchequer funds. These contracts were renewed in 1998 and will continue until early 2001, not December 1999.
The public service obligation provides for the capping of fares at £89 return from regional airport-Dublin and vice versa and for the levels of frequency of return trips. These conditions were agreed with the relevant regional airport including Kerry.
