I propose to take Questions Nos. 99, 137, 255 and 274 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the comprehensive reply which the Minister gave in response to a Dáil question by Deputy Sargent on 26 November 2002. That reply gave detailed information about the current PSO air service regime which links our regional airports with Dublin, including the overall Exchequer subvention levels and the average Exchequer subvention per passenger for each route. With regard to the Sligo and Donegal routes, I would refer the Deputies to the press statement issued by me on 30 January 2003.
In accordance with that press statement, officials in my Department are currently organising a rapid tender process for the provision of PSO services on these two routes for the rest of the year, pending the development of more permanent arrangements. The objective, as set out in my statement is to complete this tender process and procure the restoration of air services on these two routes within a period of four to five weeks.