10/02/2026
A terrible day for Donegal especially those Cancer patients that relied on the afternoon flight so heavily.
Pat the Cope Condemns Signing of Flawed Donegal–Dublin PSO Contract
Three-month review of performance and reliability to be carried out.
Pat the Cope Gallagher TD has strongly criticised the decision by the Secretary General of the Department of Transport to proceed with the signing of the new Donegal–Dublin Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract, describing it as a serious error that ignores the real and urgent needs of the people of Donegal.
Deputy Gallagher said the decision to sign off on the contract, despite widespread concern from patients, airport management, businesses, and public representatives, represents a failure to listen and a failure to protect essential regional connectivity.
“This contract is deeply flawed, and the decision to proceed with it in full knowledge of those flaws is deeply concerning,” said Deputy Gallagher.
“It reduces flexibility, weakens reliability, and removes services that are relied upon every day by cancer patients, those accessing vital medical services, students, businesses and tourism. Proceeding regardless shows a disturbing disconnect from the realities facing people in the North West.”
The Deputy said it is particularly troubling that the contract has been signed while the Department has simultaneously stated that the new schedule will now be closely monitored and reviewed after implementation.
“It defies common sense to lock people into a contract first and promise to review its impact later. Ordinary people will bear the consequences while the Department evaluates what should have been obvious from the outset.”
Deputy Gallagher also expressed serious concern about the removal of a Donegal-based aircraft, which has underpinned the reliability of the service for more than 20 years.
“This decision significantly increases the risk of delays and cancellations and undermines confidence in a service that people depend on to access hospitals, specialist care, and onward connections in Dublin. Reliability is not optional — it is essential.”
He stressed that the PSO is heavily subsidised by the taxpayer and must be designed around public need, not airline convenience.
“Despite a c. €20 million taxpayer subsidy, with the airline also retaining all passenger airfares, this PSO contract delivers fewer services and reduced connectivity — directly undermining access to cancer care and other critical medical services for the people of Donegal.”
Deputy Gallagher said he will closely monitor passenger usage on the early morning (6.30am) Dublin–Donegal flight and the late evening (8.30pm) return service to Dublin, which he believes risk becoming phantom flights.
“These services are funded by the taxpayer yet are likely to operate with negligible passenger numbers. If that proves to be the case, it will represent a further misuse of public funds and a failure of this contract to deliver real value.”
He added that the North West has no nearby Cancer Centre of Excellence and that PSO flights were originally introduced to offset the long distances people must travel in the absence of rail or motorway connections.
Deputy Gallagher noted that the Department has stated it will closely monitor the performance of the new schedule. This will involve engagement with Donegal Airport and the submission of weekly performance reports for the first three months of operation. Only after this period will the Department review the schedule’s reliability and consider whether changes are required.
He further confirmed that he has been advised that the existing flight schedule will continue to operate until Sunday, 29 March.
Deputy Gallagher concluded by stating that he will continue to lobby for the immediate restoration of the afternoon services, which are critical for cancer patients and others attending hospital appointments and which provide the flexibility and same-day return options that people in Donegal depend upon.
