Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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1698. To ask the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views on the impact that the ending of airplane transport services to the Aran Islands will have on employment and the Gaeltacht community on the islands and on the mainland. [31484/15]

Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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My position from the outset has been to ensure a continued air service to the Aran Islands, with significant financial support from the Government, in line with EU rules in regard to Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services. On behalf of my Department, the Office of Government Procurement undertook a procurement process to enable my Department to agree a contract for the air service to the Aran Islands for the next 4 years from 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2019. The process was undertaken in full compliance with EU Regulation 1008/2008 which governs PSO air services. The Request for Tenders was open to all types of aircraft as the EU Regulation does not define or limit the category of aircraft to be used to provide such services.