No solution, but Minister says he is 'personally working' on Donegal flights crisis

Donegal representatives said they have “renewed determination, and with the courage that comes from unity” following a meeting with the Minister for Transport in Dublin.

Darragh O’Brien TD has said he will do his “level best” to resolve the issue of midday flights between Carrickfinn and Dublin.

A united Donegal delegation gathered in Dáil Éireann to press the urgent case for the restoration of reliable, same-day and midday medical access on the Donegal to Dublin PSO (Public Service Obligation) route, and for the aircraft to be housed overnight at Donegal Airport.

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The new terms of the airline contract have sparked significant backlash, with the traditional midday service being removed. Instead, the schedule will shift to an early 6:30am flight from Dublin and an 8:30pm return from Donegal. Donegal Cancer Flights & Services say they help over 500 patients.

No solution was ultimately reached, but the Donegal delegation left with the understanding that “the issue is being treated with urgency at the highest levels.”

“Our TDs and Senator stood with us, reflecting the strength of feeling across the county and the shared determination to protect this lifeline for patients, families, and communities,” reads a statement from Donegal Cancer Flights & Services’ manager Mary Coyle.

She was joined by Parish Priest of Gaoth Dobhair, Fr Brian O’Fearraigh, Cáitlín Griffin, as well as Donegal TDs Pat the Cope Gallagher TD, Pearse Doherty TD,  Charles Ward TD and Pádraig MacLochlainn TD, and Senator Manus Boyle.

“Following direct engagement with the Donegal delegation, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien acknowledged the depth of anger and frustration in Donegal and accepted the seriousness of the current situation,” the statement continued. “The Minister stated plainly: ‘I’m not happy we are in this position … I will do my level best.’

“The Minister confirmed that active engagement is underway to resolve the matter, including 'talks at the highest level’ between the Department and the airline. He advised that this is not a cost issue, but one of identifying the correct mechanism within existing legal constraints.

“The Minister indicated that the airline is engaging with him and his officials, and that he is seeking advice and assessing the latest position from the airline as part of ongoing discussions.

“While the Minister was clear that he could not provide a final resolution today, ‘I don’t have a solution for you today’, he also gave a personal commitment: 'I want to get this resolved and will do my level best to resolve it, I am personally working on it.'

“He further committed to keeping direct contact through Donegal’s TDs as the process advances. Importantly, the Minister also acknowledged that there are very serious learnings emerging from this process, including how PSO tenders are framed - a recognition that the current crisis cannot be allowed to repeat itself in any future contract.

“Today’s meeting in Dáil Éireann did not deliver the immediate certainty Donegal needs, but it did confirm that this issue is being treated with urgency at the highest levels, and that Donegal’s message was heard clearly. This route must function as a dependable medical lifeline, not a gamble.

“We leave Dublin with renewed determination and with the courage that comes from unity. Donegal stood together today, patients, families, and public representatives, and we will keep standing together until same-day medical access is guaranteed in practice, not just in principle.”