Joe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)

I thank the Minister for his reply. The figures on the page he has supplied only refer to the operational subvention and there is no reference to the breakdown of the PSO obligation that is being paid. Perhaps the Minister will distribute those figures as well.

I understand that the operational subvention for regional airports amounts to a total of €1,696,503 and that the PSO subvention amounts to approximately €50 million. Every unemployed person costs the Exchequer approximately €20,000 in terms of tax forgone and social welfare payments. Therefore, the €50 million cost to the Exchequer is the equivalent of what it would cost to support the 750 people who might be made unemployed by the withdrawal of the PSO obligation. The Border midland and western region carried out a survey which shows there are 400 people employed in the Donegal, Sligo and Galway region and Kerry Airport employs 150 people. Therefore, if the PSO obligation was withdrawn, we would very quickly reach a figure of 750 jobs lost. I am looking at the effect of this loss on the basis of the current cost-benefit in terms of employment. Is it not foolish, therefore, for the Minister not to take this into consideration when conducting his review and deciding whether to go along with the McCarthy proposals to withdraw the public service obligation?

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