Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 February 2026
279. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport the assessment that has been made on the impact of the withdrawal of the midday Dublin-Donegal flight, in particular for cancer patients; and when significant investment in transport infrastructure to connect Donegal to other major cities such as Dublin and Galway will be made. [11563/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can assure the Deputy that this Government is committed to maintaining connectivity to the North-West by continuing to provide Exchequer funded Public Service Obligation (PSO) air services between Dublin and Donegal.
To ensure continuity of services on this route when the current contract ends on 25 February, my Department conducted a public procurement process, in line with the requirements of EU Regulation 1008/2008. This regulation allows Governments to provide PSO air services to airports serving peripheral or less-developed regions.
I wish to assure the Deputy that the new contract meets the minimum requirements as set out in the Request for Tenders (RfT) which was published by my Department following consultation with Donegal Airport. Donegal Airport considered that the early morning departure from Donegal and the late return from Dublin, facilitating a same day return, was optimum to meet the market demand for business, healthcare and educational travel and that there was more flexibility with regard to the second rotation.
Under the new contract, the early morning flight departing from Donegal and the evening return flight from Dublin, which is relied on by many, including critical care patients, to ensure a daily round trip to Dublin, will continue to be facilitated.
I understand, however, the disappointment that has been articulated by those who rely on the current midday service. I have listened to the concerns conveyed to me by Deputy Gallagher last week and those raised at the meeting on 11 February attended by my senior officials, the Donegal Cancer Flights & Services Group and Donegal Deputies. I am considering what more might be possible to meet the needs of the users of this air service while ensuring the continuity of this vital air service between Donegal and Dublin Airports.
In respect of the broader transport infrastructure, the Department of Transport, together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland, published the Rail Project Prioritisation Strategy in December 2025. This Strategy outlines how to best sequence and optimise the recommendations of the All-Island Strategic Rail Review, which was published in July 2024.
The Rail Strategy identifies major projects to be progress which includes reinstatement of lines including the Western Rail Corridor between Claremorris to Athenry as well as lines between Portadown, Armagh and Derry to Letterkenny in County Donegal.
In addition, under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 and in line with the National Development Plan (NDP), the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This is also subject to the Infrastructure Guidelines and the necessary statutory approvals. It is important to point out that it is for the local authority, in the first instance, to engage with TII regarding the progression of any proposed national road project.
Noting the above position, I have referred part of your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
