andMr. Keaveney asked the Minister for Transport and Power the steps, if any, being taken to provide a scheduled air service from County Donegal.

Cavan): Under the Air Navigation and Transport Acts, the operation of air services to, from or within the State requires my prior authorisation. Over the years, authorisations have been granted to a number of small Irish concerns for taxi-type non-scheduled services and these would, of course, be free to operate in the County Donegal area.

Recently I have received some applications from existing operators to provide scheduled services which would include County Donegal and I am presently considering these.

Would our new Minister for Transport and Power initiate some steps to provide us with an airport or airstrip in Donegal?

That is surely a separate question.

It arises out of the question. You cannot very well have a scheduled air service without an airstrip.

(Cavan): I shall consider what the Deputy says.

Would the Minister bear in mind that this is one of the few major regional areas without an airstrip? I have put one in Farranfore and in Castlebar myself.