21. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport to provide an update on the timeline for the long awaited restoration of the Derry to Dublin airlink; and when the tender will be released. [74570/26]

This Government is fully committed to establishing a new Public Service Obligation (PSO) air service between Dublin Airport and City of Derry Airport. This will deliver the Programme for Government commitment to establish air connectivity between the two cities.

As City of Derry Airport is outside of the European Union, the PSO air service will operate outside of Regulation (EC) 1008/2008, which provides for the common rules for the operation of air services in the Community.  My Department has had extensive engagement with the Chief State Solicitors Office (CSSO) and the Office of the Attorney General in recent months, in relation to the appropriate legal framework to underpin the procurement.  Detailed work is being undertaken to ensure that the Request for Tenders (RfT) is compliant with the appropriate procurement Regulation as well as EU State aid rules.

My Department anticipates being in a position to publish the RfT very shortly. It is intended that a contract will be awarded, following the successful completion of the procurement process later this year, to enable services to commence on the route as soon as operationally feasible by the successful operator.