MINISTER VOWS TO PROTECT ARAN ISLANDS AIR SERVICE

Date Published: 02-Dec-2012

The Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Dinny McGinley has vowed to do everything in his power to protect the air service on the Aran Islands.

It follows mounting local fears of a withdrawal of state subsidies for the Aer Arann service.

In statements to date, the Department says no decision has been made yet as it has not yet been informed of its financial allocation for next year.

Its current contract with Aer Arann will expire on the 31st of August 2013.

The four year contract, worth over 6 million, provides for 3 daily return flights to Inis Mór, 2 daily return flights to Inis Meain and to Inis Oírr on weekdays with four return flights on weekends.

Speaking during a visit to Connemara this week Minister McGinley told Galway Bay fm news that while he cannot give a definitive answer on subsidies until allocations are confirmed, he will do all he can to protect the service.