Minister of Transport Darragh O’Brien has committed to meeting the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Group and has said that a review of the new Public Service Obligation contract will take place within three months.
Senior department officials and the minister’s representatives met with the group today for more than two hours in Leinster House on the minister’s request.
The five Donegal TDs were also present.
The current schedule operates most days with morning and afternoon departures from Donegal, and lunchtime and evening return flights from Dublin; however, the planned schedule includes morning departures and evening return flights from both locations.
Donegal Cancer Flights and Services expressed concern that the removal of the afternoon rotation will cut off a “medical lifeline” for cancer patients and others.
Tonight, the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Committee said they were given a full and respectful hearing at today’s meeting with Department of Transport officials.
They said officials now have “a clearer understanding of the lived reality for cancer patients and other essential medical travellers from Donegal who rely on this service as a lifeline”.
“We are only at the beginning of a process, and we will continue to press for a timetable that genuinely delivers the public-service purpose of the PSO.
“It is, however, significant and welcome that the Department now fully understands the key points we have made, especially the real, day-to-day impact on cancer patients and other essential medical travellers across Donegal,” the group said.
A spokesperson at the Department of Transport said it will closely monitor the performance of the new schedule.
The contract for the Government-funded air service between Dublin and Donegal was awarded to Emerald Airlines following a competitive tendering process.
Operating under the Aer Lingus Regional brand, Emerald Airlines provides the service under the current contract which expires on 25 February.
The department spokesperson said it will engage with Donegal Airport, seek a weekly report for the first three months of the schedule, and review its performance and reliability after those initial three months.
The epartment said under the new schedule which will commence on 29 March 2026, a same day return service will be available to passengers travelling from Dublin Airport.
They said the new evening service from Donegal Airport will replace the afternoon service and the first departure from Dublin will commence at an earlier time which will facilitate a return daily service for passengers travelling from Dublin.
A discussion in the Dáil on the Donegal Dublin PSO flight issue heard that the Government is not happy with the outcome of the contract that was signed yesterday.
Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty said the Government entered the contract even though Donegal Airport asked them not to do so, as they were taking legal opinion.
“The cancer campaign group asked you not to do it. 15,000 people across Donegal asked you not to do it.
“I made pleas myself on the floors of the chamber and privately to the Minister and you signed a contract that now diminishes the service to Donegal.
“This delegation are not here for the good of their health. They represent 500 cancer patients, that in any given time, see this service as a lifeline.
“You said you would do everything within your legal limit. I take this opportunity to ask what you can do?”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin said: “The challenge is that if it wasn’t signed yesterday, we would have no service at all, none.
“We have to try and work within that constraint. There’s been one tenderer to my knowledge.
“The Minister doesn’t get involved in the tender negotiations.
“That’s a problem in the sense that there was one tenderer.
“We’re not satisfied with the outcome. We would have preferred the retention of the afternoon flight and the plane overnight in Donegal.
“There’s substantial money being allocated to the PSO. We’re looking to review this within three months and to engage with the successful bidder for this particular contract,” the Taoiseach said.
Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien has committed to meeting the Donegal Cancer Flights and Services Group.
Northwest cancer care campaigners understand that meeting may take place within a fortnight.
The Department spokesperson said there has been no reduction in the number of flights offered which remains at two departures and two arrivals daily from both Donegal and Dublin Airports.
The Department spokesperson confirmed that the aircraft will be positioned in Dublin overnight under the new Donegal PSO contract.
“While concerns have been raised in this regard, the aircraft that will operate this route will be maintained at Dublin Airport.
“The substitute aircraft will also be based at Dublin Airport. Emerald Airlines advise that this should improve the reliability of the service given that aircraft are maintained at Dublin airport and crew are based there,” the spokesperson said.
Donegal Airport assessing legal options over flight rotation
It comes as Donegal Airport said it was assessing legal advice following the Department of Transport’s decision to sign a new Donegal-Dublin PSO contract.
Donegal Airport Chairman Garry Martin said the way in which the process was conducted was “very unfair” on the airport and customers.
“The purpose of a PSO is to provide connectivity for the customers in the area that don’t have that connectivity. We feel, unfortunately, that this PSO doesn’t meet that requirement,” he said.
The airport board expects to conclude its review in the coming days, when it will notify both customers and the Department of Transport.
Yesterday, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien confirmed his department will proceed with a new contract for the Donegal-Dublin PSO route with Emerald Airlines.
Minister O’Brien said the air route will be kept under “weekly review” amid concern about impacts on cancer treatments.
Donegal Airport said it repeatedly sought discussions with department officials during the tender process but was told since October 2025 that talks could only occur after the contract was signed.
The board highlighted that department officials have known since October 2025 that the tender proposed major changes, including ending overnight aircraft basing at Donegal Airport after 21 years.
The airport stressed these concerns were raised in written submissions prior to the tender and reinforced in meetings with officials throughout early and mid 2025.
It described the loss of the midday flight as “inexplicable”, as it said, the airport serves business, health, and tourism passengers and had performed well year-round.
‘We rely on this service’ – cancer patient
A delegation from Donegal Cancer Flights and Services left Donegal Airport at 8am, to present a 15,000 strong petition to the Government at Leinster House.
Before boarding the flight, Cáitlín Griffin from Gaoth Dobhair, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2022 said the service is vital, as she availed of it to attend St James’s Hospital in Dublin.
“The afternoon flight is vital. If you go up in the morning. They work with people to get early appointments so they can get the afternoon flight home.
“There was one time my appointment ran over, and I couldn’t get the afternoon flight home. It was horrendous, trying to sit somewhere where you could be warm.
Watch: Cáitlín Griffin reflects on ‘vital’ importance of the service
“We don’t have any other transportation. Sitting in a car for eight hours isn’t right. We rely on this service. It’s mind boggling.”
Declan Ferry from Dobhar, who has had cancer twice, said he availed of the afternoon flights, adding that it’s been “such a relief for me, taking away the stress”.
“Going for treatment, coming out with chemotherapy and you’re not feeling great, but it’s great to jump on a flight and come down home within an hour…It’s really unfortunate.”
Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh said Donegal Cancer Flights and Services is angered with how the situation has been handled.
“Cancer patients are using this service. It’s a lifeline for them. We want to make that very clear. It’s a contract of almost €20 million.
“People are angered, that this whole process was carried out without due consultation with those who use the service most…the public service obligation is there to serve the people.”
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