Tralee Amsterdam PSO route
Deputy Michael Healy-Rae promoted an international PSO route from Kerry to Amsterdam as a boost to regional investment and tourism. The Minister said the case would be considered on its merits but that any PSO route had to be weighed against Exchequer constraints.
In the programme for Government there is a section on page 43 dedicated to attracting new investment. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Shane Ross recently visited County Kerry, for which I thank him. He met representatives of the Tralee Chamber Alliance, where the possibility of an international Public Service Obligation, PSO, route to Amsterdam was discussed. Amsterdam would serve as a perfect connective route for all locations around the world. It would help to attract new customers and new business to counties like Kerry and towns like Tralee and Killarney, which have Farranfore Airport nearby. An international PSO route like that would be ideal and is an avenue the Government should consider.
Comment on this
I am sure that the Minister will subject the case put forward to appropriate consideration and scrutiny.
Comment on this
Obviously, PSO routes require the support of the Exchequer and we all know of the constraints on resources at present. Such constraints would influence any decision. That said, I am glad to hear of the initiative being taken by Tralee.