Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Deputy said. The Government fully recognises and acknowledges the contribution Sligo Airport makes to the search and rescue service. However, CHC Ireland, as the operator, is fully responsible for agreeing operational arrangements with all the airports involved in the delivery of the search and rescue service, including Dublin, Waterford, Shannon and Sligo. In that context, neither the Department nor the Coast Guard have contractual arrangements with the airports concerned. CHC Ireland uses the facilities provided by Sligo Airport to provide part of the service, and the arrangements in that regard are a matter for CHC Ireland and the airport.

That aside, I advise that the Coast Guard, having been made aware of the potential challenges facing Sligo Airport, has requested CHC Ireland to monitor the situation and to alert it if the evolving situation creates issues for service delivery. I also assure the Deputy that the Coast Guard will continue to assess the situation in conjunction with CHC Ireland and I will consider matters again if the situation changes. Regarding the question of funding, as I advised her, I hope to publish a new regional airports programme for the period from 2021 to 2025 by the end of this year. As policy will continue to target support for regional airports which can facilitate international connectivity, however, Sligo Airport will remain ineligible for funding under the new programme.

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