Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 296: To ask the Minister for Transport the action he has taken to date to restore connectivity between Shannon International Airport and London Heathrow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30818/07]

Joe Carey (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 297: To ask the Minister for Transport his views on the designation of the Shannon to London Heathrow route as a public service obligation route; if on behalf of the Government, he will be making an application to the European Union for a PSO designation on the Shannon to London Heathrow route; when this application will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30819/07]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 296 and 297 together.

I fully recognise the importance of air connectivity to Shannon Airport and the West of Ireland generally. This country already has an air services Public Service Obligation (PSO) scheme in operation. The scheme provides for the subvention of air services from Dublin to Kerry, Galway, Knock, Sligo, Donegal and Derry. These PSO routes serve regional airports which, because of their remote locations or limited runway facilities, find it difficult to attract commercial scheduled air services.

The relevant EU Council Regulation, (EEC) No. 2408/92 of 23 July 1992, allows a Member State to establish a PSO route in respect of scheduled air services to an airport serving a peripheral or development region in its territory, where such air services are considered vital for the economic development of the regions concerned and where air carriers are not prepared to provide them on a commercial basis. In addition the Department is aware that there may be opportunities for State intervention under the Community Guidelines on Financing of Airports and Start up aid to Airlines departing from Regional Airports (2005/C 312/01).

My Department has recently written to the EU Commission with a view to having an in-depth engagement on the options for facilitating the provision of air services to meet the connectivity requirements of the West of Ireland in a liberalised, competitive aviation market. My officials have requested an early meeting with the Commission on the matter.