Brendan Griffin (Kerry South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response and welcome the extension by three months of the current contracts. As I stated, I was fearful that, with the clocks ticking, time could run out before a new arrangement was put in place. The extension is, therefore, a welcome development. While I welcome the commitment to further examine the issue, the Government's approach must take account of factors other than the immediate cost of the subsidy for services on the Kerry to Dublin and Donegal to Dublin routes, including the wider benefits to the economy. I referred to tourism but I note also that a large number of international companies, including FEXCO, the Kerry Group and Liebherr, are based in the county. Their executives and clients use the PSO route frequently to connect with Dublin and the rest of the world. If we wish to attract foreign direct investment to County Kerry, particularly now that it will be on the regional aid map again from 1 July onwards, it is crucial that air connectivity is maintained.

I thank the Minister for providing for an extension to the services to ensure flights do not cease on 1 November. I ask him to do everything in his power and to be as flexible as possible to secure new operators for the Dublin to Kerry and Dublin to Donegal air routes. As I indicated, the Government must consider the matter in the context of the overall economic impact of the routes, as opposed to their immediate costs to the State.

Of that subsidy, €600,000 goes back into the Dublin Airport Authority, a State body, through airport charges alone. It is not all one gross expenditure figure. There is a lot of that coming back in to the State directly as well.

See this speech in context