Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State is aware, Stobart Air ceased trading at the weekend. The 480 staff learned of the closure and liquidation of the company on Saturday morning and flights were halted immediately. On Monday, The Irish Timesreported that Nordica, the Estonian state-owned airline, offered to take on the Kerry-Dublin route. Connectivity from Donegal is needed for work, tourism and medical appointments. The airport there is a vital piece of infrastructure and is now sitting fully equipped but unused. The Department knew that regional airports were in trouble with reduced passenger numbers but also that they remain vitally important for connectivity, but nothing was done up to the weekend. Talks with replacement airlines were not accelerated and contingency plans were not put in place to ensure that there would be no break in service. I am pleased to see that the Government, through the Department, has acted. That is welcome. The important issue now is not to lose the momentum.

The Minister of State stated in response to a Topical Issue debate on Tuesday night that work is under way in the Department on the PSO air services from Dublin to Donegal to launch an emergency procurement process to try to restore air services to these vital regional routes as soon as possible. The Department plans to issue a request for quotes directly to airlines in the coming days in accordance with applicable EU rules on air service public service obligations. It is anticipated that the emergency procurement process will be completed by early July, with a view to services being recommenced by the new operator or operators as soon as possible thereafter. The new contract will be subject to the maximum term of seven months and will operate until EU law. I also welcome the fact that while the emergency contract is going to be put in place the long-term service must be put in place as well, and the processes will run parallel to each other. I commend the Minister of State on the fair play in that regard. We must ensure that the service is going to be delivered in a timely manner.

I note the Minister of State stated earlier that she was working to have the services in place by 19 July, when international travel returns. Is that the timeframe she views for having this actually completed and services re-established in Donegal Airport? It is going to be vital for the citizens of Donegal to make sure that is available.

See this speech in context