Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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99. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the efforts being made to restore the services and jobs that were recently lost at a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34406/21]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, plans by Stobart Air to secure a new buyer recently failed and this resulted in the company commencing a process of voluntary liquidation.

While Stobart Air’s Franchise Agreement with Aer Lingus was terminated with immediate effect, I was pleased to see that the market immediately moved to fill some of the lost routes, with Aer Lingus and BA city flyer now operating temporary replacement services, which cover most of the affected routes operating out of Dublin and Belfast City Airports.

However, the termination of the franchise agreement also had immediate implications for the Government supported PSO air services, which were operated by Stobart Air on two routes serving Kerry and Donegal.

I can assure the Deputy that the restoration of these services, to ensure regional connectivity and to support employment, is of critical importance to Government. In light of this, my Department launched an emergency procurement process to replace the lost services on 21 June. The closing date for receipt of quotations from air carriers is Wednesday 30 June and the evaluation of submissions will commence directly afterwards.

It is my hope that this procurement can be concluded by early July with a view to services re-commencing by the new operator(s) as soon as possible thereafter. The contract(s) will be subject to a maximum term of 7 months and will operate in accordance with EU law.

To mitigate against any further disruption to these services, my Department will shortly launch a procurement process for the continued provision of the services after the temporary arrangements have expired. This procurement process will provide for contracts of up to 4 years, in line with EU law, and will ensure the continuation of services to Donegal and Kerry Airport as they recover from the impacts of Covid.