PSO for flights on Kerry-Dublin route retained – Griffin

Fine Gael TD for Kerry and Member of the Oireachtas Transport Committee, Brendan Griffin TD, has today (Wednesday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, that the Public Service Obligation (PSO) Kerry to Dublin route will be retained.

“The current PSO contract on the Kerry to Dublin route will expire on 31^st January 2015. Today’s announcement will mean that from 1^st February until 31^st January 2017, Stobart Air will provide a scheduled air service on this route. This contract may be extended for an additional year following a review that will take place after 18 months of service.

“I would personally like to commend and to thank Minister Donohoe for securing the PSO for Kerry. This is an issue I have discussed with Minister Donohoe on many occasions and the confirmation that the PSO will be retained highlights the Government’s commitment to Kerry.

“Air links to Kerry are extremely important in supporting and boosting Kerry’s tourism sector. This link also provides a vital opportunity to attract investment into the area. Kerry airport allows people to travel in and out of the area for business, it makes it easier for local people to travel to Dublin and further abroad, and it also attracts foreign tourism into the area.

“Under EU Council Regulation, the Government established Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services schemes in 2008. Such schemes provide financial support to airlines, based on a competitive tender, to operate essential services serving peripheral or development regions which are considered vital for the economic development of those regions and which would not otherwise be provided on a commercial basis.”