Kerry Airport PSO routes
Deputy Healy-Rae thanked the Government for support for Kerry Airport and its Dublin PSO routes, stressing their importance to healthcare, business and island connectivity. The Taoiseach welcomed the thanks and highlighted Kerry's economic and tourism importance, along with the value of restored air links.
I publicly thank the Taoiseach for the Cabinet's decision and commitment with regard to Kerry Airport and our public service obligation, PSO, routes to Dublin. This is of vital importance. The Taoiseach knows how important it was that this lifeline was kept open for us during the pandemic because of healthcare and other necessities, for which the airport is required. That PSO is of such importance.
We must remember that Ireland is an island of air connectivity, however. It is not just critical but critical care for both passengers and cargo. A Government is elected to serve all its people, which means regional development and balance. One cannot find a balance in anything; it must be created. In recent days and weeks, we have had the closure of the Aer Lingus crew base at Shannon Airport and the collapse of Stobart Air. I sympathise with the workers who operated the PSO services on behalf of Aer Lingus to counties Kerry and Donegal and lost their jobs.
We are all aware that the west extends from Kerry to Donegal. We have a huge decline in air services on the whole. I thank the Taoiseach for his commitment to Kerry but ask him to ensure that continues.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputy for conveying his thanks to the Government for working to restore services in very quick time between Dublin and Kerry. I am fully aware of the importance of Kerry Airport to enterprise in Kerry and surrounding areas. It is an enterprising county. Kerry technology park in Tralee, for example, has some very groundbreaking companies. Killarney tourism is probably the model around the country. Many people need connectivity. Kerry has companies such as Liebherr, one of the oldest foreign direct investment, FDI, companies that came into country. There has always been a strong enterprising spirit in Kerry, which needs to be reflected in connectivity. It has always had connectivity issues in terms of road transport and geographic location. The airport is, therefore, important to that location. We are very committed to the PSO provision to facilitate the continued operation of flights in and out of Kerry.
