Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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137. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will give a commitment guaranteeing that the public service obligation will be maintained for the duration of this Government term, in the event that the present airline should cancel at Kerry Airport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2174/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to assure the Deputy that regional connectivity remains critically important to this new Government.

Air services between Kerry and Dublin airports operated as an Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) in the past in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1008/2008 on common rules for the operation of air services in the Community.

However, as allowed for under this Regulation, an air carrier has operated this route on a commercial basis since July 2021. Given that a PSO is no longer imposed on this route, operations are now a commercial matter for the carrier providing the service.

In the event of any lost or failed services on this route, in accordance with EU Regulation 1008/2008 a review would be required to be undertaken to consider whether a PSO should again be imposed.