Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fail)

I do not accept the Minister of State's answer. Am I right that the review that involved extensive consultations with the BMW regional assembly, IDA Ireland, the IAA, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, Aer Arann and Ryanair recommended that the PSO be discontinued? That is how it reads. For it to say 5% to 6% of total passengers are going elsewhere other than to Dublin makes sense when London is a major hub. I draw the Minister of Transport's attention and that of his officials to the fact that it would be quicker for me to fly to London and back to Dublin than it would be to drive to most parts of the area being serviced by Donegal Airport. That is no reflection on Donegal Airport. That is a reflection on the size of the county.

It is unacceptable to say the Northern authorities are in charge of the Belfast to Derry train service. There should be a Dublin to Derry train service, which would be a European cross-frontier train service that could attract funding if anyone was interested in looking for it.

It is unacceptable to say the northern authorities are in charge of the Belfast to Derry train service. We should have a Dublin to Derry train service, a European cross-fronteir service that could secure funding if anyone was interested in looking for it.

I hope the Minister of State will take those points back to the Minister because I will write to the stakeholders to ask what case they made for the retention of the PSO because it appears they made the case to get rid of it and that is a scandal.