101 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Public Enterprise her proposals to introduce a public service obligation flight between Waterford Regional Airport and Dublin Airport; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31724/01]

102 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the situation regarding Galway Airport in the public service obligation contracts which will be put out to tender in the coming months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31730/01]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 101 and 102 together.

I have no proposals at this time to introduce a public service obligation on the Waterford-Dublin air route. I would have any application I might receive for the establishment of such a PSO carefully examined and assessed by my Department. As the Deputy is aware, the EU Commission previously rejected proposals for a PSO route linking Waterford and Dublin on the grounds that the distance involved is relatively short and that the route was adequately served by other transport modes.

EuroCeltic currently provides daily air services from Waterford to Luton. Last month this air carrier commenced a service from Waterford to Liverpool on Mondays and Fridays. These services are provided by EuroCeltic on a commercial basis in conjunction with assistance from the airport authorities in Waterford. I allocated £200,000 or 253,948 to Waterford Airport this year to support marketing/promotional efforts and safety and security measures at the airport.