Written answers

Wednesday, 17 November 2021

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Air Services

Photo of Darren O'RourkeDarren O'Rourke (Meath East, Sinn Fein)
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62. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the details of the review that has been agreed to take forward to assess potential options for supporting viable air services from Belfast to Cork and Derry to Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56432/21]

Photo of Hildegarde NaughtonHildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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In the context of supporting greater connectivity on the island of Ireland, the Irish Government has agreed ‘to take forward a review of the potential for Government support to renewed viable air routes from Cork to Belfast and Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver improved connections as a priority’as part of its commitments under New Decade New Approach agreement.

My Department is progressing this review and has engaged extensively with relevant stakeholders including relevant airports, as well as representatives from the Department for the Economy (NI). Engagement has also taken place with the Department for Transport (UK), given that civil aviation is a reserved matter and is under the remit of Westminster.

In consideration of potential supports for renewing services, my Department is taking account of previous history, prospective demand, likely costs and long-term sustainability goals, having regard to the recently launched all-island Strategic Rail Review and plans for improved road connectivity, particularly the A5, between Derry and Dublin.

This review, as well as the delivery of identified infrastructure projects to achieve greater cross border connectivity, has been on the agenda of all transport sector meetings of the North South Ministerial Council and is part of the work programme of cross-border infrastructure and investment commitments under the New Decade New Approach agreement.

While it had been hoped that this review would be complete by the end of the summer, this work was impacted by the collapse of Stobart Air on 12 June with the immediate cessation of PSO flights on the Donegal/Dublin route. Restoring this connectivity to the North-West was a priority for this Government and an accelerated procurement process was undertaken to restore services as a matter of urgency. As this process has been completed and services on the Donegal/Dublin route have re-commenced, it is now the intention that this review will be finalised by my Department and provided to me for consideration in the coming weeks.

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