Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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286. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to make the airstrip on Inishbofin available for use by private aircraft; the reason that this has not been done to date in view of the potential of aero-tourism to Inishbofin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12077/14]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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A decision has been made to dispose of the airstrips on Inishbofin and at Cleggan in Co. Galway. This decision has been made in view of the economic downturn, the ongoing cost of maintaining the airstrips and the position that my Department is unlikely, at any time in the near future, to have the resources to subsidise a regular air service between the island and the mainland. My Department is currently assessing the disposal options available to it and a decision in this regard will be announced in due course. The airstrips on Inishbofin and at Cleggan in Co. Galway are not open or licensed for use by the Irish Aviation Authority at present. Therefore, landing aircraft on the airstrips is currently strictly prohibited.