Tom Fleming (Kerry South, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome Commissioner Kallas and his staff to the joint committee. As has been said already, we are so dependent on marine and air transport for access to this island nation. Our regional airports are important not only for transport within this country but also for access to the UK and mainland Europe. We have a public service obligation which operates in peripheral areas, including two of our strongest regional airports in Kerry and Donegal. Both airports are very dependent on the tourism industry and are a key to attracting investment to both those areas. What is the Commissioner's opinion on renewing these vital public service obligation contracts to these particular airports? I cannot see a real future for them without EU subsidies. They are important for rural development and connectivity both within and outside the country.

Marine transport is also important for tourism. A few years ago, a ferry service was revived between Wales and Ireland, sailing from Cork to Swansea. There was a major effort, particularly from Deputy Harrington's constituency of west Cork, in conjunction with Kerry. Private moneys were contributed along with local authority finance to revive that particular route. Unfortunately, it has been abandoned and due to certain laws and regulations it was impossible for the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation to subscribe funding to it. Nonetheless, that is a vital service and, given our current economic circumstances, we need to get that route back up and running. Can support be obtained from the EU for that service due to our special case as an island nation? The European rail network is a vital priority and is pivotal, but we have to make up for it with air and sea transport systems.