Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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207. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeline for reinstating the Dublin to Derry airlink, and if it can be brought forward from the projected October 2026 timeframe to reflect the long delay in reinstating this important service for the northwest region. [32017/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Government includes a clear commitment to engage with relevant stakeholders to establish air connectivity between Dublin and Derry City airports.

I am pleased to advise the Deputy that my Department is progressing the preparatory work necessary to establish a Dublin-Derry Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service in 2026.

I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that significant stakeholder engagement is necessary, including with the EU Commission in relation to any potential State aid implications and obligations. There are also strict timelines required regarding the notification period for the imposition of a PSO on a route prior to tendering and awarding of contracts which also needs to be considered. The proposed timeline also provides for a market sounding exercise to be undertaken by my Department to better inform the level of service to be tendered for. It has also taken into account the lead in time necessary for the successful carrier to set up operations and sell fares on this new route.

Engagement is also important between the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive. I am pleased to advise that a meeting took place at official level in this regard on 29 May and that this close engagement will continue over the coming months.

On a personal level, I look forward to meeting with management of City of Derry Airport along with the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council later this week, to discuss our progress to date on this matter.

I can assure the Deputy that the current timeline proposed i.e. to have a service operating on the route by 2026 is the optimal timeline to ensure that the detailed work required to establish a service on this route can be completed so that a new service can be successfully launched.