Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Varadkar, who is unable to be here as he is travelling to Brussels to attend a Transport Council meeting.

I am acutely aware of the implications for County Kerry of the reduction in the level of service on the Kerry-Dublin route resulting from Ryanair's decision to withdraw from the PSO contract. My Department is in the final stages of consultations with Kerry Airport on the specification for a new PSO air service on the Kerry-Dublin route. Discussions with the European Commission are also ongoing. The next step in the process is the submission of necessary PSO and tender notifications to the Commission for approval and publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. In line with EU guidelines, the process of renewal of a PSO contract takes a minimum of six months from the date the notices appear in the Official Journal. My Department is making every effort to expedite the completion of the necessary documentation and transmission to the Commission.

Speaking on my tourism portfolio, I know how important this service is to County Kerry. The Department is making every effort to have the matter resolved as quickly as possible. I intend to be in the Deputy's constituency on 12 April and know this important issue will be raised with me. The Department and I will make every effort to try to resolve it as quickly as possible. I again thank the Deputy for raising it.

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