Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 50: To ask the Minister for Transport the economic cost to the Irish aviation sector of the recent closure of airspace due to volcanic ash cloud; if he has received any requests for state aid as a result of the closure of air space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17909/10]

Pat Breen (Clare, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Transport if, in view of the statement made by the EU Transport Commissioner that national Governments would have to compensate airlines, he will introduce a scheme to compensate Irish airlines who have been adversely affected as a result of the recent volcanic ash crisis and the closure of airspace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17723/10]

Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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Question 82: To ask the Minister for Transport if he has been briefed by the European Commission President and the Transport Commissioner on any initiatives to support airlines similar to that occurred after 9-11; if he is satisfied with the performance of the Government taskforce on emergency planning during the volcanic ash crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17857/10]

Noel Dempsey (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 50, 62 and 82 together.

EU Transport Ministers have met twice in extraordinary meetings of the Council to discuss the recent air travel crisis caused by the Icelandic volcanic ash cloud.

The second extraordinary Council meeting was held yesterday in Brussels and the issue of financial aid for the industry was discussed. Commissioner Kallas recently published his preliminary estimate of the financial impact of the crisis on the European economy which was in the order of €2.5bn. The International Air Transport Association has estimated that the crisis cost airlines more than €1.7bn globally in lost revenue.

During yesterday's discussions, Commissioner Kallas confirmed that Member States could implement measures in favour of the industry that do not constitute state aid and that Member States would be allowed to provide financial aid to airlines provided that, where such support takes the form of State Aid, it is granted on the basis of uniform criteria established at European level, so as not to distort the market.

I have already indicated publicly that Ireland is not in a position to provide financial aid to the industry because of the state of the public finances. My priority, therefore, is to ensure that effective criteria for the grant of such aid are developed so as to ensure that any aid that may be granted by other Member States does not distort the internal market.

With regard to the Government Taskforce on Emergency Planning, my Department activated the Taskforce on the afternoon of the 15th April as the scale and implications of the eruptions became apparent over the earlier course of that day.

I am satisfied with the means by which the Task Force performed its duties and particularly the effective way in which it co-ordinated the response by all agencies to the unfolding events. It also played a crucial role in ensuring that up-to-date information was available to the Government, the public and the media at all times.