TRANSPORT MINISTER DARRAGH O’Brien says the changes to the scheduled flights between Donegal and Dublin, which cancer patients say will severely impact them, will be kept under review. 

His comments come amid concern that a changed timetable for the Public Service Obligation (PSO) route between Donegal and Dublin will cut off a “medical lifeline” for cancer patients.

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services has expressed concern to changes to the route which currently operates most days with morning and afternoon departures from Donegal, and lunchtime and evening return flights from Dublin.

The contract is due to expire on February 25 and it is believed it will be replaced with an earlier first round-trip starting from Dublin and a much later evening service both ways.

Cancer treatment in Dublin

Donegal Cancer Flights and Services helps cancer patients with booking flights, counselling support and other information.

It said the new timetable removes the midday service and takes away a guarantee of “genuine same-day access” for cancer patients and others travelling for essential medical care.

The group, which has been running since 2017, said this would fundamentally undermine the purpose of a PSO route.

Organiser Mary Coyle said that the service cannot book flights for patients past 25 February because of the uncertainty.

Asked about the uncertainty facing those living in Donegal, the transport minister said that as it is a matter of public procurement, he is not involved as minister. 

He acknowledged that politicians from the area and those receiving cancer treatment in the capital have been in contact with his department.

“What I want to ensure is that there’s flights post the end of this contract. So we need to execute this so that people can book flights from the 25th of February. What the department have assured me is that it will be kept under weekly review, with a three month review to it,” he said. 

Transport Minister Darragh O'Brien

In relation to those who are accessing cancer services here in Dublin, the minister said morning and evening flights must continue. 

“We’ve got to make sure there’s connectivity between them,” he added. 

While campaigners raised their concerns on RTÉ’s Liveline last week, Majella O’Donnell, the wife of Donegal singer Daniel O’Donnell also spoke about the flights issue on The Late Late Show on Friday.

She said that changes to the flight scheduling would be devastating to those who have to make the long journey to Dublin for cancer treatment. 

Early flight to Dublin

Coyle has said the proposed earlier flight from the capital would be “empty” and expressed concern that it would not be prioritised leaving Dublin Airport.

She explained how the group has been working with the Irish Cancer Society and Dublin oncology departments to arrange transport to morning appointments for patients which could be at risk.

She also said that the changed timetable may leave no seats available at short notice – and drive up the price of tickets.

“A lot of these people we would organise assistance for them because they’re ill. So they would have to navigate their way to a taxi and find accommodation for the night.

“This is people who are not working, or pensioners that already are stretched for money – so it’s not viable, it doesn’t make sense.”

Calling for the timetable to remain the same, she added: “There’s a bit of dignity and compassion here for patients that are up for treatment or up waiting for kidney transplants of children that are ill.”

In search of an “urgent” meeting with the minister, members of the group told his department they would be travelling to Dublin on Wednesday.

However, the group was informed he will not be available on the day.

The minister told reporters today that he will be in London tomorrow for the British-Irish Council.

“So, I won’t be here to meet them, but I will meet them. I have no difficulty doing that,” he said. 

With reporting from Press Association